General Praveen Bakshi: Will extend full help
He announced that he would extend his full support to the new Army Chief.
Kolkata: Putting all speculation about his premature retirement to rest, Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi, who was superseded by General Bipin Rawat becoming the new Army Chief on Saturday, made it clear that he is not resigning.
He announced that he would extend his full support to the new Army Chief. Lt. Gen. Bakshi also called up Gen. Rawat and congratulated him on assuming charge of Army Chief’s position. His decision to continue as the Eastern Army Commander has kept the door ajar for him to become the first Chief of Defence Staff. On December 21, Lt. Gen. Bakshi, the senior most officer in the Army, met defence minister Manohar Parrikar and outgoing Army Chief Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag in New Delhi after the Modi government appointed his junior Lt. Gen. Rawat as Gen. Suhag’s successor.
He even went on leave after attending Gen. Suhag’s farewell visit to Fort William, the headquarters of the Eastern Comma-nd during Christmas. This sparked strong speculation that Lt. Gen. Bakshi might take premature retirement as a mark of protest. On Saturday, he addressed a conference of senior officers and made his stand clear, sources said.
Eastern Command spokesperson, Wing Commander S.S. Birdi said, “Lt. Gen. Praveen Bakshi today greeted all ranks of Army’s Eastern Command on the New Year eve. Speaking to officers on the occasion, he also put to rest all speculation about his resignation by stating that he would continue to lead Eastern Command with full professional sincerity as hither-to-fore.” Lt. Gen. Bakshi said, “I convey my best wishes and full support of Eastern Command to Gen. Bipin Rawat on having taken over as the Chief of Army Staff.”
He requested that “speculations and trolling in media and social media should stop and everyone should focus on contributing their best to the betterment of the Army and the Nation.” His decision to continue in his present office assumes significance as he is billed to be the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff equivalent to a four-star General rank almost.