Sarath Chand, former vice chief of Army, joins BJP

Former vice chief of army staff Lieutenant General Sarath Chand, who had in past criticised the BJP-led NDA government for cuts in defence budgets, joined BJP on Saturday.

Lieutenant General Sarath Chand (retd). Photo: ANI

NEW DELHI: Former vice chief of army staff Lieutenant General Sarath Chand (retd) joined the BJP on Saturday. He joined the saffron party in the presence of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who welcomed Chand's entry and lauded him for his service to the nation. Sarath Chand was commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in June 1979 and retired as vice chief of Indian Army on June 1 last year. He has been in active combat leadership roles at every stage of command in the Army. He said he was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "In today's global scenario, the country needs a strong leadership. I was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership that's why I am joining the BJP," Chand said.

Delhi: Lt. General (Retired) Sarath Chand, former Vice Chief of Army Staff, joins BJP in presence of Union Minister & party leader Sushma Swaraj. pic.twitter.com/cHlZBgm7xi

— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2019

No one has done for the military as much as the BJP, he said. Chand had appeared before a parliamentary panel last year as the vice-chief of army staff, and said that inadequate allocation of funds in the defence budget for 2018-19 will hit the Army's modernisation plans when the Chinese military was competing to reach the level of the US. He had also said 68 per cent of the Army's equipment is in vintage category, adding that the fund crunch will also impact the serviceability of the existing equipment and may even affect payment of instalments for past purchases. Sarath also commanded a company in Kargil sector. He had also been the General-Officer-Commanding in Chief of the Indian Army’s Jaipur headquartered South Western Command. For his distinguished services, he was awarded Param Vishisht Sewa Medal (PVSM) in 2018. He served as Vice Chief of Army Staff from January 2017 to June 2018. (With inputs from ANI)