Union Minister General (retd) V.K. Singh on Sunday alleged that an “insidious campaign” is being run against him by a section of media at the behest of the arms lobby that is “working overtime” to subdue him and he has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding it.
“It is only an insidious campaign in which the arms lobby is working overtime. They were not able to subdue me when I was the Army chief. They have carried on,” Gen. Singh said and accused a former senior Army official of being a part of the conspiracy.
“I won’t go beyond saying as to what relationships he enjoys with various chaps. There are a lot of people who were paid by him. So, obviously, you have some journalists and others who will write what they are told,” he said.
He was reacting to the controversy, which erupted after his visit to Pakistan High Commission in Delhi on March 23 for a reception. He was again at the centre of a controversy recently over his remarks comparing the Yemen evacuation operation with his visit to the Pakistani mission.
Gen. Singh had later sparked a controversy with his remarks against a TV channel for playing up the issue.
“I also told the Prime Minister that this was an orchestrated campaign... That is my way of working. Come out clear, don’t hide your punches. I told him this was a motivated campaign, this is what has happened. I leave it to you to find out who is motivating it,” he said.
Asked what was Mr. Modi’s response, Gen. Singh said he understood.
“He is too media savvy not to understand it. He said leave it to me,” Gen. Singh said.
