In fresh remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expelled BJP leader Ram Jethmalani today accused him of "breach of faith" in addressing the 'One Rank, One Pension' demand of ex-servicemen.
The eminent lawyer, who had recently taken on the Prime Minister on the black money issue, described the handling of the OROP issue as "a case of cruel breach of faith, insulting and hurtful to those who lay down their life for the security and survival of India as a Vibrant free Nation".
Referring to the Lok Sabha poll campaign which saw the BJP win power at the Centre last year, he said on his blog, "When you decided to wage an almost impossible battle for becoming India's Prime Minister, you did realise the importance of votes of our jawans and their pending demands.
"Did you at any time either in your election manifesto or oral speeches tell the jawans that you will not accept their demands in full. In fact, you promised full satisfaction. Your manifesto amongst ten items under the heading External Security mentioned 'implement One Rank One Pension' without any qualification."
The lawyer also sought to remind the prime minister of Anna Hazare's complaint over the "unfair dealings with jawans" on OROP and asked why their demand was not being met even when the previous UPA government had decided to accept and implement it in full.
In a severe attack on Modi earlier this month, Jethmalani, a former Law Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, had accused him of "cheating" the people.
The government had last month announced the OROP scheme. However, some of the veterans have objected to the scheme, expressing unhappiness with, among other things, the government taking the calendar year 2013 instead of financial year 2013-14 for fixing the base.
