NEW DELHI: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reference to Indian Army as “Modiji ki Sena (Modi’s army)” drew criticism from ex-Navy chief Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas, who on Monday said would approach the Election Commission.
“The armed forces do not belong to any one individual, they serve the country. Till the polls get over, the Chief Election Commissioner is the boss. I am going to approach the Election Commission in this regard,” Admiral Ramdas told the leading news agency.
Echoing similar opinion, Lt. Gen. (retd) H S Panag said such remarks did not come as a surprise since it has been made by politicians over the last five years in an attempt to link nationalism with the armed forces.
“Such comments lead to the politicisation of the Army,” Panag said.
While addressing a rally in Ghaziabad on Monday, Adityanath referred the Indian Army as “Modi Ji Ki Sena” while drawing a comparison between the steps taken by the BJP-led central government against terrorism and the previous Congress government.
“Things which were impossible for the SP-BSP, are now possible; it is possible since Modi is here. Congress used to feed biryani to terrorists but Modi Ji Ki Sena (Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s army) gives them only golis and golas (bullets and bombs). This is the difference,” the Chief Minister said while addressing a rally here.
“Congress used to encourage terrorists. The BJP government is breaking the backs of Pakistan and Pakistan backed terrorists by striking their camps, under the leadership of PM Modi,” he added.
On March 9, the Election Commission had instructed political parties not to use defence personnel and their achievements for their election campaigning.
With agencies input