New Delhi: Former Army Chief Gen V K Singh, who had a bitter legal battle with the UPA government over his age issue, on Saturday joined the BJP, saying it is the only "nationalist" party working in the nation's interest and it should come to power. "In today's circumstances, I see only the BJP as a nationalist party that works in the interest of the nation. That is why I took this decision," Gen Singh, who retired in May 2012 (rpt) May 2012, said on joining the party along with a number of other ex-servicemen in the presence of party President Rajnath Singh. Gen Singh asked ex-servicemen to strengthen nationalist forces to help form a "stable, strong and nationalist" government.

Appealing to all ex-servicemen, he said, "We, who have served on the borders so that the entire country can sleep in peace, should work with nationalist forces if we want to do something for the nation." Singh said, "That is the reason why we people have moved in stride with BJP to help in nation building, national interest and in strengthening the nation and help bring such a government to power which is stable, strong and takes decisions in national interest. I am hopeful that with all your support we will be able to fulfil this dream." The function to mark the entry of the 63-year-old former Army Chief in BJP was attended by some retired generals, Air Commodores and former officers from the armed forces. Welcoming him into the BJP fold, Rajnath Singh said if BJP comes to power, it will take care of the armed forces and ex- servicemen and promised to set up an Ex-Servicemen Welfare Commission.