The senior BJP leader stated that as a result of the airstrike, the BJP was guaranteed to win at least 22 seats from Karnataka.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP state chief BS Yeddyurappa faces backlash from the opposition and some within him party too for his statements regarding the Indian airstrike against Pakistan aiding the BJP to secure seats in the Lok Sabha.
On Wednesday, Yeddyurappa had stated that the air strikes carried out guaranteed that the BJP would win more than 22 seats in Karnataka in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
BJP leader and Minister of State for External Affairs, Vijay Kumar Singh, tweeted that safeguarding nation was not to win a few extra seats.
“We stand as one nation, action taken by our government is to safeguard our nation & ensure safety of our citizens, not to win a few extra seats,” tweeted VK Singh.
Yeddyurappa’s words had come at a time when the BJP had been alleging that the opposition was politicizing the air strikes and subsequent events.
“For the first time in forty years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bravery has resulted in Pakistan learning a lesson. When 42 of our soldiers were martyred, PM Modi had said he would extract revenge for the deaths of each soldier. With the pre-emptive strike, he has kept his promise,” Yeddyurappa stated to members of the media in Chitradurga on Wednesday.
Following this several leaders took to social media to condemn Yeddyurappa’s words.
“The entire nation is united in supporting the central govt & our armed forces to fight terrorism, while #Bjp leader @BSYBJP is busy calculating how many extra LS seats the terror attack& Pak war can bring to his party. It’s shameful to exploit our jawans’ sacrifice for electoral gains,” Karnataka state chief minister HD Kumaraswamy stated on twitter.
Senior Karnataka Congress leader and former chief minister, Siddaramaiah also took to Twitter to express his displeasure at Yeddyurappa’s comments.
“Shocking and disgusting to understand BJP’splot4vote. It is unfortunate that @bjp4india is calculating electoral gains even before the dust had settled. No patriot shall derive such sadistic gains over soldiers’ death, only a anti nationalist can. What will RSS say about this?” he said.
Condemning the remarks made by BS Yeddyurappa as “irresponsible”, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Dinesh Gundu Rao too shared his views, “Most disgusting shameful irresponsible statement made by @BSYBJP. Using the J&K situation for political benefit. Is winning elections becoming the criteria for BJP and not the security of India? Is going to war a electoral strategy for the BJP.” He questioned.
Journalist Barkha Dutt tweeted the following: “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.”
However on Wednesday night, Yeddyurappa refuted his critics by tweeting that his words were taken out of context.
“My statement is being reported out of context. I said that ‘situation favorable for BJP’ which I am saying for last couple of months. This is not first time that i said BJP in Karnataka will win minimum 22 seats under the able leadership of Modi ji.”
