A fresh controversy has gained momentum after the Congress’ Manish Tiwari said on Saturday that the Indian Express story about tropps movement under Gen VK Singh as the army chief did take place.
Speaking at a book launch, Tiwari said, “At that time, I used to serve in the Standing Committee of Defence. And it’s unfortunate, but the story was true. The story was correct. I am not getting into an argument. All I am saying is that to the best of my knowledge that story was correct.”
The story, when published, was described as an attempted coup amidst Gen Singh’s tussle with the then UPA government over his date of birth row.
Gen Singh has been quick to criticise Tiwari describing his assertion wrong.
He told ANI, “Manish Tewari ji has nothing to do these days. There is this book of mine, ask him to read it and every thing will be clear to him.”
Congress’ Mani Shankar Aiyar said that it was a mistake to have made VK Singh a union minister as he was responsible for indulging in anti-constitutional acts.
He said, “It appears, something did happen that night which was against the Constitution & democracy. Appointing such a person (VK Singh) as Union Minister a huge mistake. Good that this issue has surfaced again.”
However, the latest revelation has left sharply divided the Congress party.
Congress’ spokesperson AM Singhvi took a dig at Tiwari saying that ‘it was inappropriate, unnecessary and completely wrong to suggest there was truth in those allegations when made.’
He said, “My colleague (Manish Tiwari) was neither a member of the cabinet committee on security nor any of relevant decision making body. Some troop movements are necessary, inbuilt & inevitable part of the Defence mechanism.”
AK Antony, who was the defence minister in 2012, said that ‘I’ve already spoken in Parliament regarding this issue(alleged troop movement). Please see my previous comments.’
The Indian Express on 4 April, 2012, reported that the day Gen VK Singh approached the Supreme Court over his date of birth issue on 16 January, 2012 central intelligence agencies had reported troops movement by a key military unit from the mechanised infantry based in Hisar (Haryana) towards Delhi. According to the report, non-notified troops movement by 33rd Armoured Division, a part of 1 Corps, a strike formation based in Mathura and commanded by Lt Gen. A K Singh, took place in the direction of the capital, 150 km away.