Former army chief VK Singh pays tribute to martyrs at Kargil Chowk on Monday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Former army chief V.K. Singh on Monday accused political parties of fielding rich candidates and said money was the only factor that was shaping up the future of Indian politics.

Without naming any party, he said: “Democratic set-up allows every citizen to contribute to the development of their nation. But do common people stand in elections today? Even political parties field only rich people. This is unbelievable,” Singh said, while delivering a lecture at a national conference on eradication of corruption and social responsibility organised by Indian Institute of Business Management (IIBM) at hotel Maurya.

Singh, who received a lot of attention when he shared the stage with social activist Anna Hazare in New Delhi, said: “The affluent people (who contest the elections) are backed by the business community, who in turn influence these candidates in taking policy decisions in their favour.”

The former general referred to the Jai Prakash Narayan movement in the 1970s, which went on to shake the political scenario across the country. “I would request the people of Bihar to bring out leaders from the common people who have the ability to take the nation forward. Bihar has always been associated with the big revolutions in the country.”

However, Singh did not attack the Union government directly but said corruption has become rampant across the country. “Sectors like health, power and education are also being plagued by many problems. If these facilities are not provided to the people, we should accept that we are not being able to follow whatever is stated in our Constitution.”

“Corruption has spread its arms in our country in such a way that we need to change the slogan of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose from ‘Tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhe azadi dunga (give me blood and I shall give you freedom)’ to tum mujhe rupaye do, main tumhe kaam dunga (give me cash and I shall give you job).”

Singh lamented that the country does not have leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad and Indira Gandhi, on whom people had their faith.

“After spending 42 years, I can say with conviction that those serving in the Indian Army are the most honest and disciplined. Whether it is some outside problem or an internal issue, armymen are always ready to take the initiative and help out the commoners,” said Singh.