Over 150 armed forces veterans, including the former chiefs of Army, Navy and the Air Force, have written to the President against the use of the military for gains by political parties.

In a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the veterans complained about the manner in which the ruling party was taking credits for military actions.

“We refer, sir, to the unusual and completely unacceptable practice of political leaders taking credit for military operations like cross-border strikes, and even going so far as to claim the Armed Forces to be Modi ji ki Sena,” stated the letter that had 158 signatories.The letter urged the President to “take all necessary steps to urgently direct all political parties that they must forthwith desist from using the military, military uniforms or symbols, and any actions by military formations or personnel, for political purposes or to further their political agendas.”

The retired senior officers mentioned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath referring to the armed forces as "Modiji ki Sena", or "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's army" at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh recently. The Chief Minister was reprimanded by the Election Commission for the statements.

The development comes at a time when the country is in the middle of the largest democratic exercise in the world. The round one of the seven-phase Lok Sabha election began in 91 constituencies across the length and breadth of India on April 11. The votes for the election, being held over seven phases, will be counted on May 23.

Earlier this week, a group of former civil servants wrote a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, alleging the "independence, fairness, impartiality and efficiency" of the Election Commission (EC) is being compromised.

First Published:Apr 12, 2019 10:37 AM IST