News Desk |
On 27th February, Indian leaders from 21 opposition parties convened meeting at the parliament in New Delhi, to condemn the “blatant politicization of the sacrifices made by the armed forces by the ruling party”. The meeting was attended by Senior Indian political leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, CM Bengal Mamata Banerjee, and Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh amongst others.
Following the meeting, Rahul Gandhi read out a statement before the press to convey the resolve of the opposition leaders. He said, “The meeting of 21 parties expressed their deep anguish over the blatant politicization of the sacrifices made by our armed by the ruling party. National security must transcend narrow political considerations. The leaders observe that the prime minister has regrettably not convened an all-party meeting as per the established practice in our democracy.”
Opposition leaders and parties have expressed criticism over PM Modi’s disregard to the ongoing tensions. Akhilesh Yadav, CM of Indian State of UP also condemned the ruling Indian government in a strongly worded tweet.
Following the PAF’s strike that took down to IAF fighter jets and led to the arrest of one IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling party BJP have been targeted by the Indian opposition parties for being focused towards the upcoming election and its political campaigning. Modi has been blamed of focusing on his political campaign and his election programs while all other opposition parties have disbanded their election campaigns in light of the growing hostility between India and Pakistan.
Indian Army: A Tool to Win Elections?
The day Pakistan captured IAF pilot Abhinandan, Modi came under sharp criticism for failing to postpone his video interaction with BJP members and workers. This criticism increased when senior BJP politician, BS Yeddyurappa termed the IAF “strike on alleged Jaish-e-Muhammad terror camp in Balakot” as an instrument that will result in an increase in Modi’s popularity and help BJP win “22 Lok Sabha seats”. Even though Yeddyurappa was quick to retract his statement and offer an explanation, the opposition jumped to criticize Modi and his party for politicizing the conflict.
Read more: Voices inside India blame Modi for Pulwama
Dinesh Gundu Rao, Congress President in Karnataka tweeted that BS Yeddyurappa’s statement was “disgusting, shameful and irresponsible”. He said, “Most disgusting shameful irresponsible statement made by @BSYBJP. Using the J&K situation for political benefit. Is winning elections becoming the criteria for BJP & not the security of India? Is going to war an electoral strategy for the BJP.”
Most disgusting shameful irresponsible statement made by @BSYBJP.
Using the #J&K situation for political benefit.Is winning elections becoming the criteria for BJP & not the security of India.
Is going to war a electoral strategy for the BJP. https://t.co/G2r96RWxlO
— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) February 27, 2019
Ashok Swain, UNESCO Chair of International Water Cooperation and Indian professor of peace and conflict research at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, took to Twitter to share his views and condemned Modi to be a “third-grade low life”. Swain tweeted, “Modi has forced India to wage a war against Pakistan, the sub-continent is under the real threat of a nuclear holocaust, an Indian pilot is already in Pakistan’s custody – but he is busy doing his cheap politics. A third-grade low life!”
Modi has forced India to wage a war against Pakistan, the sub-continent is under the real threat of a nuclear holocaust, an Indian pilot is already in Pakistan's custody – but he is busy doing his cheap politics. A third-grade low life! https://t.co/bLc7XzJcmJ
— Ashok (@ashoswai) February 28, 2019
On 28th February, despite the ongoing Indian-Pakistan scuffle and the arrest of IAF pilot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi displayed blatant disregard to the opposition’s criticism on his ongoing political campaigning, and address ten million BJP workers at the “world’s largest video conference”.
Read more: Pulwama Attack: Modi’s master plan before the upcoming election?
Opposition leaders and parties have expressed criticism over PM Modi’s disregard to the ongoing tensions. Akhilesh Yadav, CM of Indian State of UP also condemned the ruling Indian government in a strongly worded tweet. He shared, “Even when our pilot is missing, everything — even national security — is seen through the lens of public relations and votes. The BJP only knows the politics of distraction, lies, branding, and marketing. Those who worship power will only be consumed by it.”
Mina Jahangir with additional input by News Desk.