Thread by @GauravPandhi

Just like any other institution, politicisation & damning of DRDO has been completed by the BJP.

An important arm of the defence, DRDO is now supposed to remain headless for months ever since ex-DRDO head Selvin Christopher hung his boots failing to get another extension. (1/6)

DRDO is headless not because there aren't any capable & deserving scientists in the org but because people in RSS-BJP are batting for their favourites for their own/ personal interests. As of now the top two contenders for the post are: Sudhir Mishra & G Satheesh Reddy. (2/6)

Both are missile scientists. Mishra is backed by Shaurya Doval s/o Ajit Doval, who runs India Foundation, along with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and therefore holds influence on defence and other important policy matters. Reddy on the other hand is backed by RSS. (3/6)

Reddy is said have history of allegiance to the RSS. It's because of the vested interest of Doval & those in the RSS the position of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is vacant. Who would believe that the Defence Minister isn't aware or party to the tussle? (4/6)

Now consider the fact that DRDO as an organisation has influence on defence contracts worth billions and itself has an annual budget of around Rs 160 billion; the lobbyists are playing ping-pong for the prestegious position once held by the likes of APJ Abdul Kalam. (5/6)

Since this entire muck of tussle involves Ajit Doval's son Shaurya Doval, and the RSS, the media is likely to NOT tell you this story in as many words. No one wants be on the wrong side of Dovals and therefore the chilling silence - even if it affects #NewIndia's defence. (6/6)