Sources maintained that Lt Gen Rawat fulfilled the criteria by virtue of operational assignments as commanding officer of 19 division in J&K, his “outstanding” track record, familiarity with the Army HQ and his “general dynamism”.
Asserting the government’s prerogative in selecting the most eligible officer from a panel, sources emphasised that the final decision was based on “various aspects of the security situation in the country and future scenario”. The government took recourse to a series of background briefings to counter criticism that the appointment had been rendered controversial, saying that while all officers on the panel were competent, the “prevailing environment and requirements” were key to Lt Gen Rawat’s elevation as Army chief.
“He was found best suited… to deal with emerging challenges, including a reorganised and restructured military force in the north, continuing terrorism and proxy war from the west, and the situation in the northeast,” a source said.
The appointment, however, kicked up a storm in political circles , with Congress and the Left asking PM Modi to spell out the “compelling reasons” for the move.
