BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Saturday said Union Minister General VK Singh is continuously targeted by "certain corrupt forces" that are unhappy for his stern actions taken during tenure as Army Chief. In a statement, Swamy said the Government should take steps to protect Singh from this "paid slander campaign" since being Minister he cannot defend himself in a slugfest with the present Army chief.
Swamy said several corrupt elements were unhappy with Singh for his preventing actions on kickbacks in weapon purchases, vigilance inquiries against high-ranking army officials, fixing culprits in the Adarsh Housing scam, Sukhna land scam. Certain Generals including the current Army Chief was put on Discipline and Vigilance Ban (DV Ban) after probes during Singh's tenure as Army Chief, said Swamy.
"The DV Ban on appointment of certain Generals was issued after due process. No Army Chief can issue a DV Ban on a whim. The matter is examined by not just the Vigilance Branch but also by the Ministry of Defence at the highest levels. Only after these three bodies recommend the DV Ban, can the process be initiated. The most recent attempt to slander Gen Singh for the vigilance inquiry was so ordered against lt Gen DS Suhag in May 2012 and not by General V.K. Singh as a part of the alleged personal animosity between them.
"General Suhag did however become Army Chief after BJP came to power, as his predecessor General Bikram Singh immediately reversed the DV Ban on taking over as the Army Chief. The Government should therefore take steps to protect Gen V.K. Singh from this paid slander campaign since being Minister he cannot defend himself in a slug-fest with the present Army Chief," said Swamy.