The man has done what he can but it is well and truly over on the age front. The fact is he allowed the age issue to go unresolved when it suited him for promotion but only questioned it right at the very end of his distinguished career when he really should have down it at the very start. He is the one who has brought honour and dignity into the equation. He is the one who took the unprecidented move to take his bosses to court whilst still in active service, he is the one who has caused any potential rift in the IA. If anyone it is he who has made his position untenable. And if IA defence deals are now delayed that is only his fault for which the rest of the IA have to pay for a long time, after all whenever he will retire he will fade into the background with a very nice pension whilst these guys could have to deal with the impact of these delays.
Despite a very clear smear campaign (for whatever reason) going on against Lt Gen Bikram Singh (ancient J&K encounter questions only now being raised and now saying his accession has been planned for years and years and years- utter BS) it seems the rightful heir will get the throne (forgive the analogy).
At the end of the day these guys are true professionals soldiers who just by getting to where they are have proved their mettle and right to serve as COAS so it is really irrelevant who ends up in the seat.
