Manohar Parrikar
In picture: Former Defence Minister Manohar ParrikarReuters File Photo

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the 'army coup' controversy saying that he was "deeply pained" by her allegations over the Indian Army's routine exercises in the state last week. He said that he didn't expect this kind of behaviour from "someone of your standing and experience" and that her allegations adversely impact the morale of the armed forces.

Banerjee had objected to the presence of army personnel at toll plazas, including one located 500 metres from the Secretariat building, and also questioned the Centre as to whether this was a 'coup' attempt against her government. She had locked herself up in the Secretariat for over 30 hours "to guard our democracy" and refused to leave until the army was removed from the toll plaza.

"I have been deeply pained by your allegations as reported in the media. If only you had enquired with the agencies concerned of the state government, you would have come to know of the extensive correspondence between the Army and the state agencies including the joint inspection of sites carried out by them," Parrikar said in his letter.

He added: "Your allegations run the risk of adversely impacting the moral of the country's armed forces and the same were not expected from a person of your standing and experience in public life."

The army had deployed unarmed soldiers across checkpoints and toll plazas across West Bengal and northeast states on December 1 to note the movement of vehicles that could be diverted during a major disaster, military operation or war.

However, this did not go down well Banerjee who alleged that the state government was not consulted with before deploying forces. She also alleged that the government had denied permission to the army for the exercise. She accused the army of allegedly collecting toll from the public at the plazas.

Parrikar wrote that the Indian Army is the "most disciplined institution of the country" and the nation is proud of their "professionalism and apolitical conduct." he added that "political parties and politicians may have the luxury of making wild and unsubstantiated allegations against each other but one needs to be extremely careful while referring to our armed forces."

The army authorities had, however, denied allegations of carrying out the exercise without the permission of the state and taking toll money from the public. It stated that the exercise is carried out every year and that it was a routine procedure.

Banerjee responded to Parrikar's letter saying that she was "not happy with the language used by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar... I spoke about government policy and not the army. I don't think that it behoves a Union Minister to pass near-defamatory remarks on a CM of any State. I take strong exception to your wild assertion that my articulation of rights of State Govt has impacted the morale of the armed forces. During my long political and administrative life, I have never seen such political vendetta by misusing the role of an esteemed organisation (army)."

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