BJP
Pays for the Great Betrayal
Major General Mrinal Suman
Results of three bye-elections in
Uttarakhand are out and BJP has been solidly trounced, with Congress bagging
all the three seats. It has taken less than 60 days for Modi euphoria to
disappear. A buoyed and rejuvenated Congress must be thanking BJP for its failure
to deliver. Inapt handling of the issue of OROP is symptomatic of the poor
performance.
After the budget
speech of 10 July, it became apparent that the NDA government had succumbed to
the pressure of the bureaucrats and diluted the concept of OROP. To almost all
soldiers, both serving and retired, it was a breach of faith – a promise broken
and a Great Betrayal.
Next day, on 11
July, I had written the following comments which have proved highly
prophetic:-
“Reaction of
ex-servicemen to the budget speech varies from a sense of betrayal to outright
disgust with BJP. Sample some of the comments making rounds on the social media
– ‘an allocation of Rs 1000 crore is nothing but a cruel joke’, ‘we have been
taken for a ride by false promises’, ‘let all ex-servicemen take a vow to teach
BJP a lesson by voting against it henceforth’, ‘state assemblies that go to
polls shortly should be used to deliver a shock to the ungrateful party’ and
‘even a Kejriwal would have been more indebted for the support we extended’.
As regards BJP, rarely has one seen such a shortsighted
leadership – in a short period of six weeks it has frittered away all the
goodwill and support that it had garnered by assiduously cultivating the
soldiers and ex-soldiers. It forgot that it owed its electoral victory in no
small measure to the en-block support extended by 50 lakh strong military
community and their family members.
Even the die-hard opponents of BJP had never expected such a
short honeymoon. Breach of faith is as ruinous to any relationship as
infidelity to a marriage. Thus, a divorce is now inevitable. BJP is certainly
going to rue its ill-advised act of taking ex-servicemen for granted and
reneging on its promise.”
For soldiers OROP has come to
represent honoring of solemn promises. It is no more a question of money. It
has become a matter of honour. It hurts to be misled and taken for a ride. Unfortunately,
BJP has failed to appreciate the sensitivities of the soldiers. Smug in its
unexpected victory, it has become arrogant in handling them. How else can one
interpret the advice given by Defence Minister Jetley to ex-servicemen to lower
their expectations? Would he have dared to say so before the elections? Modi
promised OROP and not sham-OROP.
For soldiers,
national interests are supreme. The government could have implemented OROP
for JCOs and OR in the first phase with available resources. It would have been
far better for it to state – “We accept the established definition of OROP but
are tight on finances at present. Give us some time to implement it for the officers.”
Most soldiers would have accepted the suggestion. But then, grace and
compassion are not the qualities that one generally associates with
politicians.
Finally
Most observers feel
that Modi erred by appointing Jetley as the Defence Minister for two reasons.
One, with the load of Finance Ministry, he has little time to devote to the Defence
Ministry. He cannot study matters in depth and has to give decisions on the details
put up by the bureaucrats. Resultantly, bureaucrats are running the show. Two,
Jetley has been a part of the ‘Delhi Durbar’ for far too long. It is unfair to expect
him to pull himself out of the bureaucratic quagmire and take bold decisions.
According to the reports,
all soldiers and their families voted for Congress in the recent bye-polls in
Uttarakhand to punish BJP for its betrayal. BJP and Modi should see the writing
on the wall. They must realise that they are shooting in their own foot by
losing the backing of the solid support base of soldiers and ex-servicemen. Time
is fast running out. Elections to Haryana, and may be Delhi, are due shortly.
One will not be surprised if BJP loses in all assembly segments of Ghaziabad
which elected General VK Singh with over 5.67 lakh votes. Disillusionment with
BJP is spreading rapidly.*****
After the elections most of my father's colleagues all ex servicemen in their 70s were quite upbeat in discussions that with BJP coming to power they were finally going to see the implementation of the Rank pay. Even among my serving colleagues most were very supportive of BJP and foresaw a lot of support for Army related issues. However I was quite skeptical and continue to remain so of expecting anything from the BJP and also very fearful of the immense clout of bureaucrats which does not change whichever party may come to power. This skepticism is borne out of their past track record when they had significant time to implement useful measures for the forces but only had the sacking of an Admiral to their name. Their last choice of a Defence minister in a trade union leader and a part time Defence minister this time around does not speak too much of their interest towards defence related matters. Could not Maj Gen Khanduri have been a apt choice for this post ?
ReplyDeleteNow Maj Gen Mrinal Suman's article appended below clearly highlights that not much has been done. Though I am not so sure BJP is anyway paying for the this so called betrayal. There have to be systematic steps taken by the services to have a a strong say in the national level. A case in point is that when the present and future governments have considered candidates for the position of NSA no names of Armed Forces personnel is considered. Have we in services not produce a single person who understands the national security dynamics of the country. Even the position of Dy NSA has not seen a military appointment. Most Generals nearing retirement covet and lobby for Governorship which is primarily a titular role with a lot of attended privileges. If the seniormost appointments in Army are merit based instead of being on seniority then we may see some of them go for post retirement roles with the same gusto and josh which is seen when they go for challenging roles at the level of Bn and Brigade Commanders.
Never convinced with knew jerk reactions. I an sure the two Generals themselves would not have executed orders to such great effect when in uniform within two months of taking over as gen officers.
ReplyDeleteIt is suggested that veterans not look like a selfish community only looking for some extra bucks out of the Govts. kitty.
Bjp deserves credit for many mentions in its portion of the defence budget which have been overlooked by the Congress govt.
It should not appear to the nation the the veterans of the armed forces can bend there votes for however promises money than who promises a better nation.
Such acts may hurt the armed forces in the long run. It is good to give the Govt. at least a six months time frame. One needs to remember OROP is not the sole job at hand in the MOD or for a Govt. in matters related to defence as well as other issues unlike veterans sitting at home who have nothing better to do than keep calculating the arrears or more financial benefit they gain from OROP.
Lets not beg the Govt. for OROP or without proof blame the babus. This weakens the case at hand. Let veterans be clear that the OROP is not being asked for shorter service of defence personal compared to civil services, as terms of service is different for both and cannot be equated together. OROP is being asked in recognition of the hard service, low life expectancy and reduced job avenues after leaving service for the fauji's, it has nothing to do with NFU or pension of civil servants. It is to ensure that veterans are able to live a decent post retirement life for the sacrifices which they and there family gave for the country which is unmatched to any other service. Lets be clear in our mind what and why we are fighting for rather than be busy pointing fingers at another organisation for the miseries.
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ReplyDeleteeven after depositing our reverend Medals with our supreme commander, if the Govt is hesitant to grant OROP to Ex servicemen,the Ex servicemen community as a whole should refrain themselves from being paraded in the Republic Day Parade,as the Govt is insensitive to its Veterans.
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