BJP again politicises Army to raise funds for poll expenses

“Army is not a means of employment,” Army Chief General Bipin Rawat declared in Pune on Thursday, and referring to job seeking unemployed youths, he sternly said that “I want to warn you, remove this misconception from your minds. If you want jobs, then go to the Railways...or start your own business.”

Gen. Rawat—who has reiterated in the past that the military “should be somehow” kept away from politics, however, seems unaware about the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) using Army as an easiest way to raise some quick money ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

After glorifying the surgical strikes and milking it to the hilt for electoral gains, the BJP has now started a social media campaign to crowdfund for it’s expensive election campaign. The party has been asking Indian citizens for donations in the name of Army, using pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi dressed in Olive green.

“Stand with PM Modi for safe and secure borders of India,” reads an appeal tweeted by @BJP4India that shows Prime Minister Modi posing for a picture along with former Indian Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag and a group of soldiers.

The post, which is part of BJP’s “Donate Now To Support NaMo Again in 2019” campaign, further says, “He works for them. Stand with him to secure India.”

On social media, the richest national political party that boasts to have a building that is bigger than the office of any political party in the world, has also been sharing a link that directs users to the “donation” page on Narendra Modi’s website. Invoking citizens, the appeal further says, “To elect Shri @narendramodi as the Prime Minister again, donate to BJP through NaMo App and get an opportunity to meet him. Also win exciting merchandise.”

Interestingly, aiming for “taking one step ahead in growing bigger and making a new and improved India,” the “official NaMo merchandise” has been made available on digital platforms like Paytm and Amazon. “Get them today and contribute to the nation's growth!” the saffron party has appealed through @namomerchandise.

Pertinently, Lt. Gen. (retired) DS Hooda, who was the chief of the Northern Command of the Army in September 2016 during the surgical strike, had recently pointed out that the strikes have been “politicised and overhyped”.

Reacting to his remarks, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had hailed Lt. Gen. Hooda: “Spoken like a true soldier General. India is so proud of you.” And in a scathing attack on Prime Minister Modi, he wrote: “Mr 36 has absolutely no shame in using our military as a personal asset. He used the surgical strikes for political capital and the Rafale deal to increase Anil Ambani’s real capital by 30,000 Cr. #SurgicalStrike (sic).”

Ironically, the party has also been seeking money through donation in the name of the poor and disadvantaged. “He works for them. Stand with him to eradicate poverty,” reads a post widely shared by BJP activists and leaders, which is also a part of the fundraising campaign for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the run up to the forthcoming general elections.

Previously, Prime Minister Modi had drawn flak after he put out a tweet requesting the masses to contribute money to his super-rich party, through the NaMo App. Modi himself, had donated ₹1000 to his party.