Click to play videoNew Delhi: For a force that prides itself in being apolitical the Army Chief’s age row is now a full-fledged political battle. The BJP on Tuesday attacked the government for its 'failure' in handling the age matter of Army Chief Gen VK Singh, who has dragged the government to the Supreme Court on the issue.
"It's unfortunate the case has gone to SC. It’s government failure. If the government had stepped in earlier the issue would had been resolved by now," Nitin Gadkari said.
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Those in the Opposition in particular who are trying to give it a large picture are doing a dis-service to the nation. This is an exercise of legal right by someone. Of course it would have been better if this exercise would not have been done but if it has been done, then it's a matter courts should decide."
The government's responses to Gen Singh's concerns, many believe have been delayed and unimaginative. Caught unaware the UPA is now preparing a strong legal defence. The PM Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister AK Anthony and Law Min Salman Khurshid have had separate meetings to try and tide over the crisis.
"It's a settled principle that in the event of a conflict, a government officers matriculation certificate is the final word," Lalu Yadav said.
The Army Chief's age row has gone beyond being merely about his date of birth, it has divided the political call in the middle. And given large number of service and ex-service Army officials are joining in, the government is worried about the fallout of the controversy on its vote bank across the five states.
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