Ex-soldier who committed suicide was Congress worker: VK Singh

Union minister and ex-army chief VK Singh said on Thursday a former soldier, who killed himself allegedly over glitches in a uniform pension scheme, was a Congress worker, a twist to the latest flashpoint between the government and Opposition.

“He was a Congress worker and who fought Sarpanch election on Congress ticket. His suicide is unfortunate,” VK Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.

Read | Rahul, Kejriwal attend ex-serviceman Grewal’s funeral, slam Centre

The minister also raised questions about the manner in which Grewal committed suicide: “Also, how did he procure Sulpha tablets and who gave it to him?”

Singh had come under attack from the Opposition on many issues in the past. His comments on the Grewal’s suicide have also irked the Opposition, which has attacked the Centre over implementation of the one rank one pension (OROP) scheme.

The minister, however, also maintained, “If he had reached out to us and didn’t get help, then it was our fault”.

Government sources said the ministry had not received any request for appointment with the deceased nor did his letter say any such thing.

Read | Ex-serviceman allegedly kills self over ‘One Rank One Pension’ issue

On Wednesday, Singh had reacted in a combative tone to the news of the suicide. “The reason for his suicide being reported is OROP. Don’t know what is his mental state was, needs investigation.”

The Congress hit back. The party’s Uttar Pradesh chief Raj Babbar said, “His (Singh) mental condition needs to be examined, shameful that such a person writes ‘General’ before his name.”