Bengaluru, A war of tweets broke out between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka on Thursday over India’s strike on terror camps in Pakistan on Tuesday.
Congress state unit President Dinesh Gundu Rao targeted BJP state chief B.S. Yeddyurappa for his tweet in which he wrote on Wednesday, “situation favourable for the BJP” and that the pre-emptive strike would help his party to win 22 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.
“#Most disgusting, shameful, irresponsible statement made by @BSYBJP (Yeddyurappa). Using the #J&K situation for political benefit,” Rao tweeted.
Rao wondered if winning elections was the priority for the BJP and not the country’s security. He asked Yeddyurappa to clarify if going to war was an electoral strategy of the BJP.
The strike was to avert an imminent terror attack by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit after the February 14 terror blast killed about 40 CRPF troopers in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama.
Yeddyurappa’s tweet read: “The IAF fighters entered Pakistan on Tuesday and destroyed three terrorist camps, which created a pro-Modi wave across the country. The effect of this will be seen in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.”
Noting that the counter attack by India had enthused the youth of the country, the former Chief Minister said the Prime Minister had shown courage in teaching Pakistan a lesson and in avenging the death of 40 CRPF troopers.
“As (Narendra) Modi said he would avenge every drop of blood, he is showing that he is doing as promised. All have welcomed it. Even opposition parties have welcomed it.”
Joining the Twitter war, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said when the entire nation was united in supporting the Centre and the armed forces to fight terrorism, Yeddyurappa was busy calculating how many extra Lok Sabha seats the terror attack and war against Pakistan could bring to his party.
“It’s shameful to exploit our jawans’ sacrifice for electoral gains,” Kumaraswamy said in a tweet.
Echoing Rao and Kumaraswamy, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah said it was shocking and disgusting to understand #BJPsPlot4Vote.
“It is unfortunate the BJP is calculating electoral gains even before the dust has settled. No patriot shall derive such sadistic gains over soldiers’ death, only an anti-nationalist can. What will RSS say about this?,” tweeted the former chief minister.
Refuting the remarks of the ruling coalition allies — the Congress and the JD-S — Yeddyurappa said his statement was misinterpreted.
“I have highest regard for our armed forces. I salute the bravery of our men in fighting for the country’s safety. I stand along with my fellow countrymen and pray for the safe return of Wing Commander Varthaman Abhinandan. To me the nation comes first and then the party,” tweeted Yeddyurappa later.
