Insidious campaign against me at behest of arms lobby, says VK Singh
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New Delhi: Minister of state for external affairs VK Singh on Sunday alleged that a section of the media is running an "insidious campaign" against him at the behest of the arms lobby that is "working overtime" to subdue him and that he had briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the matter.
"It is only an insidious campaign in which the arms lobby is working overtime. They were not able to subdue me when I was the army chief. They have carried on," Singh said, accusing a former senior army official, whom he did not name, of being part of the conspiracy.
"I won't go beyond saying as to what relationships he enjoys with various chaps. There are a lot of people who were paid by him. So, obviously, you have some journalists and others who will write what they are told," he told PTI.
Singh was reacting to the controversy which erupted after he posted a series of cryptic tweets following his visit to the Pakistan High Commission here on March 23 for a reception. He was again at the centre of a controversy recently over his remarks comparing the Yemen evacuation operation with his visit to the Pakistani mission. He then sparked another controversy with his remarks against a TV channel for playing up the issue.
Asked if the arms lobby was still active against him, Singh said that it was very much so. "They did a lot to dole out resources when the elections took place. We know how much money was received by various people. They are active. They are very active. Their sole aim is to how to get me out," he said.
Singh added that following the campaign against him for hispresence at the Pakistan Day function, he had spoken to the Prime Minister and explained why he was being targeted. "I also told the Prime Minister that this was an orchestrated campaign...That is my way of working. Come out clear, don't hide your punches. I told him this was a motivated campaign, this is what has happened. I leave it to you to find out who is motivating it," he said.
Asked about Modi's response, Singh said he understood. "He is too media savvy not to understand it. He said leave it to me," Singh said.
