The BJP’s prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat CM Narendra Modi’s speech at a massive rally at Rewari in Haryana on Sunday — where he heaped praise on the secular ethos of the Army, criticised the policies of the UPA government that he said had resulted in Pakistani cross-border raids and Chinese transgressions, as well as raised the ex-servicemen demand for one-rank-one-pension (OROP) — has drawn praise and applause from a large section of ex-servicemen.
The presence of former Army Chief Gen. (Retd) V.K. Singh at the rally where he was seated right next to Mr Modi has also raised eyebrows and triggered speculation about the former Army Chief’s political ambitions and whether he would contest the next Lok Sabha elections on a BJP ticket.
“It was one of the finest speeches made by an astute leader (Narendra Modi) who raised issues of concern regarding ex-servicemen and the armed forces. Mr Modi was right when he said the weak policies of the UPA government were responsible for the situation at the LoC and LAC. He pointed out that it was not the Army that was weak but the policies of the Central government. He was also right in hailing the armed forces for its contribution to the country and for its secular ethos. I completely agree with him,” said former director-general of military intelligence Lt. Gen. (Retd) R.K. Sawhney.
Former Army deputy chief Lt. Gen. (retd.) Raj Kadyan, who was one of the speakers at Sunday’s rally, too felt Mr Modi’s speech was “sincere”.
Lt. Gen. Kadyan too agreed with Mr Modi and felt the policies of the Union government were to blame for what was happening on the LoC and LAC.
He added that he hoped the BJP manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections will clearly commit to implementation of the OROP for ex-servicemen if the BJP/NDA were to come to power.