Gen VK Singh tries to mend fences, blames it on ‘elements’

Making a delayed attempt to mend fences with the government, beleaguered army chief Gen VK Singh said on Friday that “some elements” were trying to project a “schism” between defence minister AK Antony and him.

The General issued a statement from the army headquarters, saying, “For the media to constantly project every issue as battle between the government and army chief is misleading. The army, and by extension, the chief of army staff, are also a part of the government. There are some elements in our society which have played an active role in trying to project a schism between the defence minister and the chief of army staff. This is untrue and needs to be guarded against.”

The statement says that  “after the matter was brought to the defence minister’s notice, certain steps had been taken institutionally to keep a wary eye on the retired officer who had offered bribe.”

He said  “the person resurfaced in the beginning of March this year and launched a smear campaign under the veil of anonymity alleging that the army was snooping on the defence minister. Once the concerned individual had been identified by the army headquarters, his identity and antecedents were made public.”