PNS Former Air Chief AY Tipnis is all set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. The main Opposition would field Tipnis, who headed the country's Air Force during the Kargil war in 1999, from a parliamentary constituency in Maharashtra. Born in 1940, Tipnis created a diplomatic storm of sorts when he did not salute the then visiting Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf at a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan here in 2001. Upon his retirement on 31 December 2001, he'd completed more than 41 years in uniform. In his career in the Air Force, Tipnis received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal for distinguished service. Well-placed sources have confirmed to The Pioneer that Tipnis had the backing of a few senior RSS leaders who were facilitating his entry into the party. The BJP is also reported to be keen on Tipnis's entry into the party. He had been advising the party on internal security matters for the last few years. "Many more luminaries are waiting to join the BJP. This include retired servicemen, diplomats and other dignitaries," a member of the BJP's core group revealed. According to reports, at least two serving IPS officers (from Bihar and Jharkhand) have expressed their interest in contesting the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections as BJP candidates. If the party's Central Election Committee of the party, which will meet here between January 28 and 29, decides in favour of their claim on seats of their choice, both would have to quit the service and join the BJP. Moreover, speculations are rife that a senior officer of the Indian Forest Service (IFS), who enjoyed close proximity to former Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi, may also quit the service and join the BJP. It is not confirmed whether or not he has sought a Lok Sabha ticket or not. source : Pioneer
