The government today informed the Rajya Sabha that the appointment of Lt. General Dalbir Singh Suhag as the next Army Chief is final and irrevocable.

Intervening during an impromptu discussion on his appointment, Leader of the House and Defence Minister, Arun Jaitley asked members not to politicise the matter once it has been settled.

The issue was raised by Mr. Anand Sharma, a Congress member. Referring to Retd. General V.K. Singh’s reported statements disapproving the appointment of Lt. Gen. Suhag as the next Army Chief, he demanded a clarification from the government.

He said, the statements of Retd. General V.K. Singh, a Minister in the present government, are unacceptable. Demanding his dismissal, Mr. Sharma said, the matter is too serious to be brushed aside.

In reply, Mr. Arun Jaitley said that Lt. Gen. Suhag was appointed as successor to the present Army Chief by the erstwhile UPA government. The present government fully defends the appointment and stands by it.