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3 ?>* #@ /##@ @ !"#$% 02-3!0 45 %!7!%78 4%-')56 %-95: * $# !0,$-0+ *0*!:%!$!!0$0141>,A %,>41!,!- >!4%1":,0= ;40*;41;,!=- -,"4%-%*1- "4,>%5-4 +"-! !>!-0!,"01-5!*!"! %,5*0-!!+% >!4->1, 4C>!-;>D%8C=> B" /*& 001 ('( B /! 6 #"7 8 # Q Q R R ! "# # ,!=>!4% important issue. Moreover, the icate their votes to those who $ % letter was addressed to the carried out the air strike in ore than 150 military vet- President as he is the custodi- Balakot. Merans, including eight for- an of the Constitution and the The letter mentions the mer chiefs, have written a let- Supreme Commander of the Election Commission’s notifi- ter to President Ram Nath Armed Forces. cations to those violating the Kovind expressing concern It said, “We hereby respect- model code of conduct, includ- over the “use” of the armed fully urge you to take all nec- ing to Adiyanath, but adds forces for “political purposes” essary steps to urgently direct that the actions do not have any ,!=>!4% and urged him to intervene in all political parties that they impact on the ground. preserving the “apolitical” char- must forthwith desist from “Indeed a notification has ifting the veil of anonymi- acter of the armed forces. They using the military, military been issued asking for an expla- Lty from the Government’s said such misuse of the Services uniforms or symbols, and any nation from those responsible political funding scheme, the may affect the morale of the actions by military formations for these statements, including Supreme Court on Friday men and women in uniform or personnel, for political pur- from the Chief Minister of directed parties to furnish by and adversely impact their poses or to further their polit- Uttar Pradesh,” the letter said. May 30 all the details of funds fighting efficiency. ical agendas.” “However, we regret to state received through electoral However, at least two of the The veterans referred to the that these do not appear to have bonds to the Election said. former chiefs, including NC “unusual and totally unaccept- resulted in any substantive Commission in a sealed cover. A Bench headed by Chief Suri (IAF) and SF Rodrigues able practice” of political lead- change of behaviour or practice The top court, which did Justice Ranjan Gogoi asked (Army), whose names were in ers taking credit for military on the ground,” it added. not stay the Centre’s Electoral the parties to furnish “forth- the list, said they had not operations like cross-border When contacted, several Bond Scheme, 2018, made it with” the details of electoral signed the letter dated April 11. strikes and even being called veterans, including former clear that it would accord in- bonds received by a political Former Army vice chief Lt “Modi ki sena” referring to Army chiefs General Deepak depth hearing on April 15 the party till date. General ML Naidu too said his recent comments by Uttar Kapoor and General Shankar pleas of an NGO and the “The details of such other consent was not taken before Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Roy Chowdhury, acknowl- CPI(M) as they as also the bonds that may be received by including his name in the let- Adityanath. edged writing the letter. Centre and the EC have raised such a political party up to the ter as one of the signatories. They stated that such mis- Reacting to the controversy “weighty issues” having date fixed for issuing such Suri said the armed forces are use of armed forces “would over Suri and Rodrigues not “tremendous bearing on the bonds as per the Note of the apolitical and report to the impinge on the morale and signing the letter, Defence sanctity of the electoral process Ministry of Finance dated democratically elected fighting efficiency of the serv- President to take all necessary the military being allegedly Commander Abhinandan Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the country”. February 28, that is May 15, Government. ing men and women in uni- steps and urgently direct all used for political purposes, Varthaman, displayed.” called it “condemnable”. “The just and proper inter- will be submitted on or before Elaborating upon the need form. We, therefore, appeal to political parties to desist from including Yogi’s referring to the Varthaman was captured “Two senior officers said im direction would be to May 30. The sealed covers will for writing the letter, the vet- you to ensure the secular and using the military for political armed forces as “Modiji ki by Pakistan after an air combat they have not given consent. It require all the political parties remain in the custody of the erans said it was written to the apolitical character of our purposes or to further their sena” and the display of images with India on February 27 and is worrying that fake letters are who have received donations ECI and it will abide by such President to express sentiments armed forces is preserved.” political agendas. of Wing Commander subsequently released. In their being signed by vested groups,” through Electoral Bonds to orders as may be passed by the of the former soldiers on an The veterans urged the The letter cites examples of Abhinandan Varthaman at rallies, Prime Minister she said. submit to the Election court,” it noted in the 19-page political events. Narendra Modi and a number The Defence Minister did Commission of India in sealed interim order. Referring to the alleged of BJP leaders have been refer- not respond when asked about cover, detailed particulars of the The Bench, also compris- misuse, the letter said, “This is ring to IAF’s Balakot strikes those veterans who said they donors as against each bond; ing Justices Deepak Gupta and & "' in addition to media pictures of besides mentioning the valour signed the letter. The former the amount of each such bond Sanjiv Khanna, directed the election platforms and cam- of the armed forces in defend- military chiefs endorsing the and the full particulars of the Finance Ministry to tweak the paigns in which party workers ing the country. letter included Admiral L credit received against each window period for purchasing are seen wearing military uni- The Election Commission Ramdas, Admiral Arun bond, namely, the particulars of the electoral bonds and reduce # % forms and posters and images has already taken note of the Prakash, Admiral (retired) the bank account to which the it from present 55 days to 50 with pictures of soldiers, spe- Prime Minister’s comments Vishnu Bhagwat and Admiral amount has been credited and days in 2019. cially of Indian Air Force Wing asking first-time voters to ded- Sureesh Mehta. the date of each such credit,” it Continued on Page 4 "# ! " ! R $% # ,!=>!4% he Congress on Friday (#(# ,!=>!4% Tmoved the Election +1+;% Commission against Prime n a recognition of the invalu- Minister Narendra Modi and et Airways, facing its worst Iable services provided by BJP chief Amit Shah for Jexistential crisis in its over the forces for the conduct of allegedly invoking Armed 25-year-old history, on Friday elections, the Election Forces in their poll speeches. extended suspension of its Commission has directed all A Congress delegation, international operations till the States and Union Territories comprising Abhishek Manu Monday due to severe liquidi- to pay an honorarium to the Singhvi and Randeep Singh ty issues. Incidentally, the stake Central Armed Police Forces Surjewala, gave a memoran- sale bid invited by the SBI-led (paramilitary) and State Armed dum to EC over Irani’s con- consortium of bankers, which Police (SAP) deployed on elec- tradictory affidavits, demand- ! " " manages the day-to-day oper- tion duty for the ongoing ing that she should be dis- #" #$ % '() ations of the airline, also closed Parliamentary elections and ! '( $ ) qualified from contesting. on Friday, after being extend- Assembly polls in four States. ! % '() “PM Modi, BJP chief Government, saying, “It’s clear lating the Model Code of ed by two days. According to the rate (Amit Shah) and other leaders that soldiers stand with India Conduct (MCC), but punish Airline founder Naresh Northeastern markets as Jet finalised by the Election 1,250 per person per week, in case of Lok Sabha polls, and of the ruling party are shame- and not the BJP”. the guilty. Goyal, the UAE carrier Etihad was forced to ground 10 more Commission, 2,500 will be 1,000 per person per week for in case of Assembly polls it will lessly and openly, for the first CPI(M) general secretary “If the person makes Airways, Air Canada and the aircraft following default of paid to gazetted officers like subordinate officers and 750 be incurred by the State time in 70 years, are dragging of Sitaram Yechury asked the another violation, he/she country’s national investment lease rentals. Assistant Commandant, per week for every Other Rank Government/Union Territory the forces into cheap politics,” Election Commission to act should be barred from two fund among others are report- The Prime Minister's Medical Officer, Deputy staffers. “The payment of such Administration concerned, Singhvi told reporters outside strongly against the ruling BJP days of campaigning, similar- ed to have submitted bids. Office (PMO) has called an Commandant deployed for a honorarium shall not exceed according to the order. the Election Commission. for its “despicable attempts” to ly three and four days for On Thursday, the airline urgent meeting to discuss the period of 15 days or less; 2,000 the total pay of one month of In case of simultaneous “Dragging the armed politicise and misuse the forces third and fourth violation,” he had announced temporary crisis in Jet, which is facing for subordinate officers like the officer/personnel con- elections for the House of the forces in political crossfire, during the ongoing election said.

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