Delhi:
Amid reports that the Union defence ministry has initiated the process of appointing Vice Army Chief Lieutenant General Dalbir Singh Suhag as the next Army chief, the BJP today sounded a word of caution to the government on the "hurry" and asked it to avoid taking decisions till elections are over.
(India Votes 2014: Coverage)The present army chief General Bikram Singh retires on July 31.
"I am not going into the specifics of any particular name but surely on the larger issue of naming the next General and reports about Lokpal appointment, we expect that when we are in the midst of elections, when the model code of conduct is in force, at least till May 16, all these things must be avoided," BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
Former army chief General V K Singh, when asked, said the government should not "hurry" about making such appointments.
(On the campaign trail, General VK Singh says politics is about compromise)"There is still time for retirement of the present Army chief and the UPA government should not hurry in making any appointments at this point of time," said General Singh.
(Army chief targets Lt General, crucial posts in Army remain undecided)He, however, refused to comment on any particular individual when asked if he was against the appointment of Lieutenant General Suhag as the next Army chief.
The former Army chief, who has joined the BJP and is contesting as its candidate from Ghaziabad, had days before his retirement initiated action against Suhag and imposed a disciplinary and vigilance ban, which was later lifted by the present Army chief.
(New army chief General Bikram Singh lifts ban on Lt Gen Suhag's promotion)