New Delhi, November 22
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government is under pressure from one of its allies over the possible appointment of a new Chief of Army Staff once the country gets its first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the coming few months.

Sources in the government said one of the allies from North India wants that in case the present Chief of Army staff, General S. Padmanabhan, is elevated to the post of the first CDS of the country, a senior officer from the state be his successor.

The party has given a specific name, an officer who is posted in the state at a senior position.

Although the officer has an impeccable track record and is also considered fit for the post, he is not the seniormost in line. The NDA ally is said to be pressuring the government to ensure that seniority may be ignored in the event of new developments.

According to reports here, the country is likely to get its first CDS in the new year when the other two contenders, Adm Sushil Kumar and Air Chief Marshal A.Y. Tipnis retire from service. After their retirement General Padmanabhan would be the seniormost officer whom the government wants to elevate as the CDS.

Sources said the NDA ally had been rallying for the officer as with the elections round the corner it would provide some political advantage to the party.

Incidentally, Army officers from the particular community have achieved great laurels and risen to very senior position, but none has yet been been elevated to the post of the Chief of Army Staff. The NDA ally is apparently quoting this reason. Also, it while argues the officer would be the Chief of Army Staff, but since all three service chiefs would actually be reporting to the CDS, he would still remain the number two officer.

The party is also trying to explain to the government that such a move would not only

further improve the image of the coalition but also help assuage the feelings of the particular community to a great extent.

The government has already set in motion the process for the integration of the three services and has created some posts leading finally to the appointment of the CDS. While already a Chief of Integrated Defence Staff and the Commander-in-Chief of the first unified command at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been appointed, consultations are underway for other appointments to complete the integration.

Earlier last month, the government appointed Vice-Admiral Arun Prakash as the Commander-in-Chief of the first Unified Command and Lt Gen Pankaj Joshi was made Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.

These were clear signals of the government’s determination to go ahead with the rapid integration of the three Services. It is now expected to appoint, besides the CDS, four vice-CIDS and also possibly the chief of the newly constituted Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).