Defending the move to replace Sujatha Singh as Foreign Secretary, BJP today ruled out any political motive and said the government had acted well within its right to decide on appointment of officers.

"I don't see any reason for the hue and cry. A government is within its rights to decide how it would like to appoint what officers and with what responsibilities. And this is not the first time..... Preceding governments have taken (such) decisions," BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said.

Singh was removed late last night from the crucial post of Foreign Secretary eight months before her tenure was to end and replaced by S Jaishankar, Ambassador to the US.

"I do not see any reason that anyone can attribute any political motives. This is the right of the government," Kohli said.