New Delhi: Political parties across the spectrum Monday said army chief General V.K. Singh should have filed a complaint about his allegation that he was offered a bribe by a lobbyist to purchase substandard vehicles.
The Congress party attacked Singh, asking why he kept quiet for so long and didn’t lodge a complaint.
“It is really unfortunate. Being a government official and head of the Indian Army, he should have registered an FIR if someone came to him and offered a bribe,” said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sought a detailed statement from the government on the issue and asked why the government did not take action when the matter was reported.
BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said, “I do agree that the army chief should have filed a complaint and it is unusual for an army chief to make such a statement in public.”
The army chief told The Hindu that a lobbyist offered him a bribe of Rs.14 crore to have tranche of 600 substandard vehicles of a particular make cleared for purchase.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony has ordered a CBI inquiry into the matter.
Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja questioned the timing of the revelations. (IANS)