Indian ex-navy chief asks EC to stop using military for politics

NEW DELHI: Former Indian navy chief Admiral L Ramdas in an open letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora has expressed concerns on recent instances of political parties using armed forces for political gains.The Indian former navy chief urged an immediate intervention of the Election Commission in stopping political parties from using the Pulwama attack, Balakot airstrike and Wing Commander Abhinandan’s name to influence the electorate.Ramdas said there should not be any misuse of these recent events by any political party to send triumphalist or jingoistic messages which can influence the electorate.Ramdas in his two-page letter said that as a responsible citizen and a veteran of the Indian armed forces he wants to share collective sense of dismay and deep concern at how some political parties are brazenly pushing their agenda using images, uniforms and other examples showing pictures of the armed forces with political figures in public spaces in media election rallies and so on.He reportedly said it was completely unacceptable since it has the potential to destroy the very foundations and value system of the armed forces.

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