In a major boost to the profile of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, former vice chief of army staff, Lieutenant General (retd.) Sarath Chand has joined the BJP on Saturday in the presence of senior leader and External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj.
In an elaborate ceremony, attended by various delegates of Indian media, Sushma Swaraj warmly welcomed the former Lieutenant General to the party. According to Lieutenant General (retd) Sarath Chand, one of the main reasons behind his decision to join BJP has been the leadership of the incumbent PM of India, Narendra Modi.
Former Vice Army Chief Sarath Chand joins BJP, terms party as first choice for 'Fauji'
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While addressing the media Sarath Chand said, “In today’s global scenario, the country needs strong leadership. I was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership that’s why I am joining BJP. The BJP has done a lot for soldiers.”
Lieutenant General (retd) Sarath Chand is a distinguished army officer, who was commissioned as a young officer into the prestigious regiment of Garhwal Rifles in June 1979. He had retired last year in the month of June, and now, is ready to begin his political innings with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Moreover, Sarath Chand is not the first army officer to have joined the party. Apart from ex-Army Chief General VK Singh, many ex-soldiers have chosen BJP over others, be it Olympic silver medalist and current Sports Minister, Colonel (retd.) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore or sportsman cum ex-para commando Major (Dr.) Surendra Poonia or ex Kanpur mayor Captain (retd.) Jagatveer Singh Drona or even Major General (retd.) BC Khanduri Major General (retd.) JFR Jacob etc. Moreover, in a recent ceremony at Dehradun, 9 army officers led by Major General (retd.) S Sabharwal joined the BJP.
This is so because the saffron party has had a nationalistic approach from the word go. Besides, ever since PM Modi assumed power, the armed forces, who were unable to retaliate effectively to terror attacks and cross border attacks because of the lack of political will during the UPA government, were given complete freedom under the NDA government.
Be it the cross border surgical strikes in 2015, 2016, or the airstrikes in the wake of Pulwama attack this year, the armed forces have been given their due honour under the rule of BJP. Even the long-standing demand of proper ammunition, as well as the restoration of the One Rank One Pension system, was allotted to the soldiers under the current NDA government. As such, if Lieutenant General (retd.) Sharath Chand feels inspired by PM Narendra Modi and joins BJP, it doesn’t come as a big surprise.