Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 31

The Congress on Tuesday questioned the appointment of General Bipin Rawat as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), accusing the government of starting on a “wrong foot” on the issue.

In a series of Twitter posts, former minister and Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari asked a range of questions about the appointment.

“With great regret and fullest of responsibility may I say that the Government has started on a very wrong foot with regard to CDS. Time alone unfortunately will reveal the implications of this decision,” Tewari said.

He asked if the CDS will override the service chief’s with regard tri-service agencies and organisations and also asked what would be the implications of the appointment on Civil-Military relations.

“The civil military relations – the equilibrium of which has been India’s singular Success since 1947…how will that be impacted? Are we down a portentous path?” Tewari asked.

The Congress leader’s next question was — What will be the position of CDS qua the Defence Secretary?

“Would the Defence Secretary in terms of Rule 11 of Transaction of Business Rules continue to be the administrative head of the Defence Ministry? What is the remit and mandate of the proposed Department of Military Affairs?”

Tewari also asked if the CDS could override the advice of the respective Service Chiefs and will the CDS as Permanent Chairperson of Joint Chief’s of Staff Committee outrank the three service Chief’s?

“Would the three Chief’s report to Defence Minister through Defence Secretary or through CDS now?” Congress leader asked.

He also sought to know why is the appointment of a CDS is fraught with difficulties and ambiguities.

“What implications does nomenclature Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister have in relation to the three service chief’s in terms of Military advice tendered to the government?” he asked.