Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 9

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying he is “deeply pained” at allegations made against the Army. He said the forces were “apolitical”.Mamata and her party members in a series of tweets had alleged that the Army had carried out its movement in West Bengal without any sanction from the state government. The country-wide exercise was to keep a count on movement of heavy vehicles on December 1 and 2.Parrikar in his letter written on Thursday cited the allegations made by the West Bengal CM and reported in the media and told her, “Your (Mamata) allegations in this regard run the risk of adversely impacting the morale of the country’s armed forces and the same were not expected from a person of your standing and experience in public life.”The Defence Minister reminded the TMC supremo that there was extensive correspondence between the Kolkata-based Eastern Command of the Army and the state government.He said the Army was one of the most disciplined institutions of the country. “The country is proud of their professionalism and apolitical conduct,” Parrikar said, adding that as political parties we have the luxury of making wild and unsubstantiated allegations but one must be very careful when referring to our armed forces. He also assuaged the CM that the Army was forced to go public with the correspondence after allegations.Mamata hits back at Defence MinisterKolkata: Unrelenting West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Friday replied Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s letter, saying while she has the highest regard for the Army, she will not tolerate if the Centre uses the Army to intimidate BJP’s political opponents. In her letter to the minister, she reiterated that the exercise was carried out without taking permission of the state government. She also claimed the police had objected to deployment of jawans at the toll plaza near the state secretariat and the objection was ignored by the Army. TNS

PARRIKAR ‘PAINED’ AT MAMATA OUTBURST, BENGAL CM SAYS GRIPE WITH GOVT, NOT ARMY

KOLKATA: Defence minster Manohar Parikkar has written to Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressing ‘anguish’ at her recent remarks against the armed forces and said her comments could adversely impact the morale of the forces.

In the evening, Banerjee shot off a reply alleging she has never seen such a political vendetta.

Parikkar’s letter, dated December 8, also said that the comments were not expected from the Trinamool chief who has decades of experience in public life. “Your allegations in this regard run the risk of adversely impacting the morale of the armed forces and the same was not expected from a person of your standing,” wrote Parikkar.

Mamata shot back saying, “My complaint was not against the army. It was against your government and the government policy as they act under your directions. During my long political and administrative life I have never seen such political vendetta by misusing the role of an esteemed organisation.”

The chief minister is yet to receive the letter that has been leaked to the media. She will send a strong reply as we have a strong case,” remarked Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Derek O Brien on Friday.

On December 1, Banerjee had lashed out at the Centre for deploying army in her state without informing the government, which she said, amounted to a coup. Her comments came against the backdrop of her high-pitched battle against the Centre on the Prime Minister’s demonetisation move.

As the news hit headlines, army officers retorted saying it was nothing but a “routine exercise” that was conducted in other states.

Parrikar ‘pained’ by Bengal CM’s remarks on army, Didi cries vendetta Screen govt’s public campaigns in theatres: Centre tells states

KOLKATA: Defence minster Manohar Parikkar has written to Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressing ‘anguish’ at her recent remarks against the armed forces and said her comments could adversely impact the morale of the forces.

In the evening, Banerjee shot off a reply alleging she has never seen such a political vendetta.

Parikkar’s letter, dated December 8, also said that the comments were not expected from the Trinamool chief who has decades of experience in public life. “Your allegations in this regard run the risk of adversely impacting the morale of the armed forces and the same was not expected from a person of your standing,” wrote Parikkar.

Mamata shot back saying, “My complaint was not against the army. It was against your government and the government policy as they act under your directions. During my long political and administrative life I have never seen such political vendetta by misusing the role of an esteemed organisation.”

“The chief minister is yet to receive the letter that has been leaked to the media. She will send a strong reply as we have a strong case,” remarked Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Derek O Brien on Friday.

On December 1, Banerjee had lashed out at the Centre for deploying army in her state without informing the government, which she said, amounted to a coup. Her comments came against the backdrop of her high-pitched battle against the Centre on the Prime Minister’s demonetisation move.

As the news hit headlines, army officers retorted saying it was nothing but a “routine exercise” that was conducted in other states.