Page 21 - 15MAR2019E

column pulwama attack

Why airstrike on Pakistan

is advantage Modi?

How much the airstrikes change the final outcome is difficult to assess at
Heart of tHe present but the nature of political discourse has definitely been altered. Now
matter the opposition would have to revisit their strategies and issues

charanjit ahuja hen an aggressive Prime The BJP knows that it could repeat a win
Minister, Narendra Modi only on some emotive issue and what better
Recipient of prestigious declared at a public rally issue than the promise of a robust, muscular
National Award in Churu in Rajasthan: leader who could keep the nation safe and
in Developmental “India is in safe hands,” united. There was palpable public anger after
Journalism. Author of W it was clear that India’s the Pulwama attack and all patriotic Indians
Print Journalism, among airstrikes well into Pakistani territory after wanted that the country should avenge the
the hot selling books the Pulwama terror attack has changed the massacre of 40 CRPF jawans by giving a
on Amazon. Previously narrative for the general election slated less befitting reply to Pakistan. The air strike has
worked with Indian than two months away. pacified the anger and there are animated
Express Group. Current Surely, Pulwama attack and India’s re- discussions across the country praising
Status: Editor sponse should not be politicized but Surgical decisive leadership of Modi as he had shown
Strike 2.0 is sure to engage everyone in days courage and given a free hand to Forces.
and months to come. The BJP leaders are already boasting that
How would it change the script for the BJP this is what the man with a 56-inch chest can
was clear when an energized Prime Minis- do. The act has reinforced the sentiment that
ter recited the BJP anthem for 2014 election the country needs a strong government at
campaign composed by lyricist Prasoon Joshi the Centre. Opposition leaders have had no
“Saugandh mujhe is mitti ki main desh nahi option except praising the airstrikes though
mitne doonga, main desh nahi rukne doonga, they did not give credit to Modi for the action.
main desh nahi jhukne doonga” (I swear by Indeed it is advantage Modi and BJP though
this soil, I won’t let the country be eliminated, issues in general elections is not that straight
I won’t let the country stop, I won’t let the because each region has state-specific
country bow down).” BJP president Amit Shah factors. Now the opposition would have to
also tweeted: “I congratulate and salute the revisit their strategies and issues. The furore
bravery and valour of our armed forces. The over Rafale deal, the farmers’ issues, lack of
action further demonstrates that India is jobs, intolerance, anger amongst some mi-
Amid the latest safe and secure under the strong & decisive norities, GST, demonetisation may now take
a back seat. The opposition parties are wary
leadership of PM Narendra Modi.”
developments, After the setback in the elections to three of the fact that countering BJP’s nationalism
the furore over states — Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and agenda could label them “anti-nationals”.
Ever since Pulwama, the BJP leaders had
Chhattisgarh — last year, the Congress party
Rafale deal, was expecting a revival of fortunes in the been attending funerals and visiting the
farmers’ issues, general elections. Rahul Gandhi had played families of martyrs. The National War Memo-
a masterstroke and inducted his sister Pri-
rial was dedicated to the nation on February
jobs, intolerance, yanka Gandhi as a general secretary and de- 25. Social media is already flooded with mes-
anger amongst puted her along with Jyotiraditya Madhavrao sages that while the Congress kept quiet after
26/11, the Modi government hit back with
Scindia to revive Congress in Uttar Pradesh,
minorities, GST, the state that accounts for 80 Lok Sabha seats. surgical strikes after both Uri and Pulwama.
demonetisation The Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi How much the airstrikes change the final
Party had formed a formidable alliance in
outcome is difficult to assess but the nature of
may now take a Uttar Pradesh. The Trina Mool Congress had political discourse has definitely been altered.
floated the idea of a “common minimum”
back seat programme for opposition unity. letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 15 march 2019 21 www.Tehelka.com