Highlights
Social media users in India respond to politicians misusing current cross-border conflict between India and Pakistan
Ruling BJP party wades into fresh controversy, as India reels under the stress of escalating conflict with its neighbour Pakistan. And social media users are furious.
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly opposition leader BS Yeddyurappa told Indian reporters on Wednesday: “Day by day, the wind is increasingly blowing in favour of the BJP. Yesterday's action of destroying terror hideouts by entering inside Pakistan has resulted in a pro-Modi wave in the country, the results of which can be seen in coming Lok Sabha polls …It has enthused youths; all this will help us in winning more than 22 Lok Sabha seats."
Day by day, the wind is increasingly blowing in favour of the BJP. Yesterday's action of destroying terror hideouts by entering inside Pakistan has resulted in a pro-Modi wave in the country, the results of which can be seen in coming Lok Sabha polls
He was talking about India’s February 26 attack on Pakistan territory to destroy apparent Jaish-e-Mohammed hideouts In Balakot.
International journalist Barkha Dutt @BDUTT tweeted: “BJP leader #Yeddyurappa statement claiming party will get 22 seats in Karnataka as a consequence of #BalakotAirStrike is revolting and an absolute insult to #WingCommanderAbhiNandan and the 40 CRPF soldiers martyred in Pulwama. UGH.”
Indian Airforce pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was captured by the Pakistan army after his aircraft was shot down, and he landed across the Line of Control, yesterday.
Raminder @ramindersays from Kashmir responded to @BDUTT: “#Yeddyurappa statement claiming party will get 22 seats in Karnataka as a consequence of #BalakotAirStrike is like dancing over the ashes of the bravehearts who have sacrificed their lives in service of the Nation. #Shame”
And H.Dhaka @harsh211281, who calls himself a “BJP bhakt” added: “@BDUTT I am BJP supporter... but agree with you first time.”
Indian social media users were aghast at the Karnataka politician’s statement and their reaction so vitriolic that BJP Union Minister VK Singh released a public statement against his own party colleague. He said: "I beg to differ. We stand as one nation, action taken by our government is to safeguard our nation and ensure safety of our citizens, not to win a few extra seats.”
But, it has not appeased the anger among the Indian tweeple.
Juno @jun_oh posted: “Is it any secret that Pulwama and Pakistan are going to be used for electoral gains? A source high up in the govt told me on the day of the air strike ‘aaj se leke election tak aap sirf ek hi naam sunoge – Pakistan’ [From today till elections, you will hear only one word – Pakistan]. It’s going to be Modi’s no. 1 strategy.”
Dr A K Varma @drvarma_ak, responded: “One do not know how come such people are elected people should vote as per their consciousness in the best interest of country countrymen.”
Ryan @ryan30 tweeted: “Not just an insult they are playing with the lives of soldiers so that they win more seats 😡.”
Hope @SR422, replied to @BDUTT: “It shows Pulwama and Balakot were planned to win election by BJP govt. For that they have killed 40 CRPF and have lost 2 aircrafts.”
Some went so far as to say that these kind of political statements are being made with impunity because India’s media is not doing its job – of being the vanguard of truth.
Subhanil @subhanilc tweeted: ”Did you expect otherwise? It’s clear from day one that all this will be used for votes by the BJP. One part of the media is naive or afraid to say it, the other part is nothing but paid agents of the ruling party and establishment.”
Pakistan ruling party @PTIofficial added their voice to this online outcry with a tweet. They wrote: “We hope you understand that you were manipulated into war mongering. #LetBetterSensePrevail; isolate the people who are desperate to win an election. War is in no nation’s interest, & its soldiers & civilians who are the collateral damage. Don’t let one man use it for political mileage.”
