Exasperated by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s brazen attempt to gain political points by using IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan’s picture on an election campaign poster, former Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army, Lt General (Retd) Vinod Bhatia, slammed the party for politicising the armed forces.
In a tweet, Bhatia said that the challenge that comes from “within”, i.e., “politicisation of armed forces,” is a bigger challenge for the Indian armed forces than the one posed by the “two and half front war.”
“Wing Cdr Abhinandan on a BJP election poster. Limit !!!! Tough times for the armed forces, no it’s not the security challenges & the two & half front war. The challenge is from within, politicisation of the apolitical armed forces coupled with degradation,” he wrote in a tweet.
Wing Cdr Abhinandan on a BJP election poster. Limit !!!! Tough times for the armed forces, no it's not the security challenges & the two & half front war. The challenge is from within, politicisation of the apolitical armed forces coupled with degradation. pic.twitter.com/ewl45F42e1
— Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia Retd (@Ptr6Vb) March 10, 2019
Lt General H.S Panag supported General Bhatia’s view.
Concur!
— Lt Gen H S Panag(R) (@rwac48) March 10, 2019
People also tweeted saying they were relieved that the Election Commission had issued a notice against use of photographs of defence personnel. One veteran said, “Hope it will end the drama.”
Luckily EC has come out with an advisory sir.
Hope it will end the drama. pic.twitter.com/8HO5HjJnsQ— Major D P Singh (@MajDPSingh) March 10, 2019
The Election Commission on March 9, directed “all” political parties to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel on posters and other campaigning material.
Also Read: After Multiple BJP Ads and Posters Featuring Armed Forces, EC Slams ‘All Parties’