Sir — This refers to the report, “Suhag selection is final, Centre clears its stand” (June 12). It is painful that the BJP-led Government has made its first faux pas, that too involving the Ministry of Defence under the temporary charge of Mr Arun Jaitley. Knowing the background of the controversy regarding the appointment of the next Chief of Army Staff on the eve of the change of regime, how could Mr Jaitley let an anti-General VK Singh affidavit be filed on the subject, prepared by a law officer of the UPA regime, okayed by Defence Ministry bureaucrats, and submitted to the Supreme Court, without his approvalIJ
Mr Jaitley was clearly unhappy with the wording of the affidavit which implicitly accused Gen VK Singh of acting in an “illegal and premeditated” manner against lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, his junior, before retirement. Mr Jaitley has reportedly asked for an explanation from the Defence Secretary and his concerned colleagues. But, unfortunately, the damage has been done