Late CDS Gen Bipin Rawat's brother joins BJP ahead of Uttarakhand polls

In a significant addition to the BJP's ranks ahead of elections, Colonel Vijay Rawat, brother of late General Bipin Rawat, joined the saffron party.

Colonel Vijay Rawat retired from the Indian Army after serving for over 3 decades. His son is now also serving in the armed forces. "My father was with BJP when Uttarakhand was newly formed. After retiring from the Army, he had been with the BJP. Now I have the opportunity of working with BJP after retirement," he said. The retired soldier hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for having a 'unique' vision.

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While inducting him into the party, BJP spokesperson Anil Baluni called the Rawats a family of 'patriots and martyrs'. Colonel Rawat's elder brother General Bipin Rawat was India's first Chief of Defence Staff. General Rawat had taken over as chief of the Indian Army in 2016 and served till 2019. On December 8, 2021 General Rawat died in a tragic air accident when a helicopter carrying him, his wife, and other armed forces personnel crashed in the Nilgiri hills in Tamil Nadu.

Colonel Rawat joined the BJP just weeks before his home state Uttarakhand goes to polls. The hill province will vote on February 14 and the results of the Assembly election will be declared on March 10.