Kolkata: Condemning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for begging for votes in the name of military in the Lok Sabha election Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday cautioned them to not to repeat their appeals. She also rallied her support behind more than 150 military veterans including eight chiefs from three services who complained of “politicisation of forces” in a letter to President Ramnath Kovind.

Ms Banerjee’s warning came a day after the ex-servicemen’s move. Addressing an election campaign rally at Kurseong in Darjeeling the West Bengal chief minister said, “Not only the Gorkha Regiment, we are proud of each and every regiment because our army have done so much for our country. But we will not follow the footsteps of Mr Modi who begs for votes in the name of Army during the polls. The Army is above all like the sky.”

Sending a strong message to Mr Modi she added, “Do not bring disrepute to their name. I have found that several persons who once served the Army even those who were the chiefs said that whatever is happening in the name of the army is not right. I condemn it. I am with them.” Referring to the PM, BJP chief and president BJP of Darjeeling Ms Banjerjee also added, “Mr Modi, Mr Shah and Mr Ahluwalia, you will come and go. But those who protect the country are also ready to sacrifice their lives. This is their tradition.”

“Do not compare anything with them. Do not make your political identity with them. Their identity is the highest in the country.”

Ms Banerjee’s nephew and Trinamul MP of Diamond Harbour, Abhishek Banejree, echoed her a rally at Rajganj in Jalpaiguri.

“Only three days ago the PM prayed to the public to cast votes to him and BJP for the Army. I do not think anyone can be more inferior, shameless, brutal than the person who uses the martyrdom of the brave soldiers for own political interest.”

He said, “It is painful, tragic and unfortunate.” General Shankar Roychowdhury, who signed in the letter to the President, former Army chiefit alleged, “Photos of those, who have done good job in military service, are used in political rallies. We have objected to it because military has never been associated with any political party. I firmly believe that it would not happen in future also. The political parties should understand it. They may be ignoring it. They are not even caring of the Election Commission. So writing to our Commander-in-Chief was the last resort.”

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