Union information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni on Friday justified government’s seeking second legal opinion from the Attorney-General of India on Army Chief General V.K. Singh’s age row. The Union minister said it was done in view of fresh material and points coming up on the issue.

”Attorney-General’s legal advice was sought again as same new things had come up on the issue and placed before him. When an opinion is sought for the second time, naturally fresh material and points are put forth. In view of that a second opinion is often sought, which must have been done,” said Ms Soni.
Appealing to the political class to adopt restraint while commenting on the issue, Ms Soni maintained that the Attorney-General is the highest legal authority to give legal opinion to the government.
“My appeal to political colleagues across the board is that we all have high esteem for the armed forces without exception. We political people must also bring some restraint on our reaction so that we don’t involve the armed forces in our political scuffle,” said Ms Soni.