Former Indian army chief calls for dissolution of parliament
Singh, who joined forces with anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare, was addressing a joint press conference in Mumbai on Monday.
Hazare said that together with Singh, they would travel across the country from January 30, in order to create awareness amongst the people of India about the government’s corruption.
The 75 year old activist was expected to launch an anti-graft team after severing ties with Arvind Kejriwal and India Against Corruption (IAC) over their decision to form a political party.
According to a Times of India report, Singh added that the government was “bending to the whims of the corporates,” questioning Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on why the government was “looting” the people.
The former army chief retired this year amidst controversy regarding his age, wherein he took the defense ministry to court in a failed attempt to prove he was a year younger than the army records showed.
Singh was also accused of writing to the prime minister expressing serious concerns about India's defense capabilities, triggering allegations he was behind the leak.
He has since denied the allegations.
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@G Din, @MK Thank you for responding to my comment. OF course V K Singh and anyone else (even a non-citizen of India can express any opinion they want about India.I disagree with the opinion expressed by the retired general and expressed MY opinion which surely you will agree I am entitled to. The only point I was trying to make is that if he thinks Indians will support transfer of some best practices from our neighbors where retired establishment functionaries continue to influence policy, he will find that India is not so welcoming to such ideas.
ET: I had responded earlier but was filtered. These people have written to me directly and I should be allowed to respond.
@gp65: "...retired unelected ‘all-knowing’ army people deciding the fate of the country is even worse. " So, to voice one's opinion as a citizen, one has to be "not-retired", duly elected, dumb and definitely not from the army. Outside of those "disqualifications/ qualifications" everyone else has a right to "decide" the fate of the country? When were these constitutional amendments adopted? So, are all those thus disabled allowed to vote? @AA: Dissolution of parliament is a regular feature of any parliamentary system. It generally happens each regular election cycle or could be prematurely forced as, for instance, when a vote of no-confidence in the government is passed. Nothing abnormal about it.
Express Tribune against twisting words coming from Indians he didn't say dissolution the Parliament as a democratic institution (don't forget India is THE largest democracy in the world) but the Parliament as the momentary legal prisoner of a bunch of corrupt crooks, read him in the ANNA HAZARE context.. thaanks
@gp65: Agree with your comment in general, however he is voicing his opinion and not DECIDING , unlike what happens in Pakistan. He is entitled to his opinion.
General, if you are trying to go the Hamid Gul route, you will find that India and Indians will not be very welcoming. Am not a fan of UPA by any means. But unless they lose vote of confidence in Parliament (which seems unlikely), it WILL complete its term. Corruption is highly undesirable but retired unelected 'all-knowing' army people deciding the fate of the country is even worse.
Everyone has rights to express themselves .We are also saying the same thing.
Another retiree looking for an engagement. Best of luck, general.
After getting pretty much fired,what more can he say.He is opposition camp right now.The goverment let him retire honourably.
Back in India we just call him General VK Singh.
He will get his fifteen minute of fame and will disappear in the obviation.