V K Singh joins BJP, lauds its ‘nationalist’ agenda

NEW DELHI: Ex-Army chief Gen V K Singh (63) on Saturday joined the BJP, 10 months after he retired following a bitter legal battle with the Congress-led UPA government over his age issue. The BJP is likely to field him in the Lok Sabha polls.
"In today's circumstances, I see only BJP as a nationalist party that works in the interest of the nation. That is why I took this decision," said Gen Singh, who joined the party along with a number of ex-servicemen in the presence of BJP chief Rajnath Singh.He said the BJP should be voted to power.
The ex-Army chief asked ex-servicemen to strengthen nationalist forces to help form a "stable, strong and nationalist" government. "We, who have served on the borders so that the entire country can sleep in peace, should work with nationalist forces if we want to do something for the nation."
"That is the reason why we people have moved in stride with BJP to help in nation building, national interest and in strengthening the nation and help bring such a government to power which is stable, strong and takes decisions in national interest. I am hopeful that with all your support, we will be able to fulfill this dream."
Gen Singh joined BJP months after he shared dais with its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at an ex-servicemen rally in Rewari.
He said he had not left anybody when asked whether he had abandoned activist Anna Hazare, whom he has also shared stage with on many occasions. Gen Singh said Hazare has not joined the Trinamool Congress but is "only supporting those who have supported him".
In an apparent attack on Congress, he said, "This (BJP) is a party which is democratic and not owned by a family." He said the BJP thinks of the nation much more than anyone else.
Retired Army and Air Force officers attended the function to mark Gen Singh’s induction into the party.
Rajnath Singh welcomed him into the BJP fold and promised to take care of the armed forces and ex-servicemen if his party comes to power. He pledged to set up an Ex-Servicemen Welfare Commission.
The BJP chief attacked the UPA government, saying it has not looked after the armed forces well while citing the recent mishaps involving the Navy.
Rajnath said Indian security setup has been weakened under the UPA. He assailed the government over Pakistan’s ceasefire violations along the Line of Control in J&K, the beheading of two Indian soldiers there, and Chinese intrusions.
"The Indian security system has not one but many holes. Is it not the government's responsibility to tighten the Indian security system?" he said. He added the armed forces would get a freehand if the BJP comes to power to strengthen India.
The BJP chief questioned the timing of the 'one-rank, one-pension' decision, saying it came too late clearly with an eye on the upcoming elections.
He claimed his party was in favour of the decision for long and has raised the issue in the Parliament too. Rajnath said the BJP would finally implement the decision.
Rajnath Singh said the defence modernization had been delayed while stressing the need for indigenous production of weapons. He wondered if India could send a spacecraft to Mars, why it could not produce defence equipment.
The BJP chief lamented the country does not have a war memorial and promised the BJP would build one if it came to power.