Yeddyurappa claims airstrikes will help BJP win, draws flak
What's the story
In what can only be qualified as cringeworthy, BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa claimed that the airstrikes would help the saffron party win 22 out of 28 seats in Karnataka in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
However, BJP leader General VK Singh, who is also the MoS External Affairs, dismissed his claims.
In a tweet, he told Yeddyurappa national security was paramount for the government.
Statement
Yeddyurappa gave credit to PM Modi for IAF's operation
In an overnight operation on Tuesday, 12 Mirage-2000 jets bombed Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest camp in Balakot, Pakistan, days after the outfit attacked a CRPF convoy in Pulwama.
Giving credit to PM Narendra Modi for the operation, Yeddyurappa on Wednesday said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said he would avenge the killings [in the Pulwama terror attack]."
He made the remarks in a campaign in Chitradurga.
Quote
Wind is blowing in BJP's favor, says Yeddyurappa
"The wind is increasingly blowing in favor of the BJP. Yesterday's (Tuesday's) action of destroying terror hideouts by entering inside Pakistan has resulted in a pro-Modi wave in the country. All this will help us in winning more than 22 Lok Sabha seats," said Yeddyurappa.
Reactions
Congress slams Yeddyurappa, calls comments "disgusting"
Yeddyurappa's statement evoked reactions from several quarters. Former CM Siddaramaiah called his words disgusting and shocking. "It is unfortunate that @BJP4India is calculating electoral gains even before the dust has settled," he added.
Siddaramaiah also asked PM Modi to clarify his stand on Yeddyurappa's remarks.
Karnataka Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao asked if BJP was more concerned about electoral gains than national security.
Twitter Post
"What will RSS say on this?"
Shocking disgusting to understand #BJPsPlot4Vote. It is unfortunate that @BJP4India is calculating electoral gains even before the dust has settled. No patriot shall derive such sadistic gains over soldiers' death, only a anti-nationalist can.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) February 28, 2019
What will RSS say about this? pic.twitter.com/w6wAhAg6gv
Politics
Amid rising tension, government and opposition trade barbs
While hostilities between India and Pakistan aren't showing signs of dying down, a political fire has been ignited in the country.
The all-party meet on Wednesday said BJP leaders were using the airstrikes for scoring points and it was unacceptable.
Soon, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley condemned the Opposition and said the entire country should speak in one voice now.
Quote
Choose your words wisely, Jaitley advises Opposition
"Why then is India's Opposition alleging that the Government is politicizing our Anti-Terror Operations. My appeal to India's Opposition - "Let the country speak in one voice". Please introspect - "Your ill-advised statement is being used by Pakistan to bolster its case," Jaitley tweeted.
Tension
Meanwhile, India awaits safe return of captured IAF pilot
The prevailing tension between India and Pakistan took a new turn on Wednesday after an IAF pilot was arrested by the neighboring country.
Wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman crossed over the other side of LoC after air combat between IAF and PAF.
The Indian government has asked Pakistan to safely return the IAF pilot and slammed the nation for attacking military installments here.