Now which way the electoral
tide will turn only time will tell but the ongoing war of words is throwing many
interesting, contradictory and repulsive comments.
THE BJP WOULD OBVIOUSLY GO
FOR FULL CREDITS.
Defence Minister Manohar
Parrikar has taken the charge from the BJP side. And his have been honest
comments, even if some may question his language. He speaks emphatically about
the surgical strikes, efficiency and might of the Indian Armed Forces, what it
has done to Pakistan, those in India questioning it and the row over who should
get the credit. From October 1 to 12, he gradually addresses all the issue as
and when the questions are raised.
October 12: "I don’t
mind sharing credits, including the surgical strikes, with every countryman
because it is done by our Armed Forces and not by any political party. So all
Indians, including those doubting Thomases, also can share the credit. As for
myself, I will only share the credit at the most… the major share goes to the
Prime Minister but the issue I will at least claim the credit (for) is decision
making ability and planning. So I think that should settle the nerves of many
people…,” Parrikar said, adding, “I understand quite well because I’m a
politician though not a politician by profession… that people’s sentiments are
satisfied."
October 6: "It was a
100% perfect surgical strike. Even when bigger nations do surgical strikes, they
are not as successful. No one had doubted bravery of our forces ever, but for
the first time recently some people are doubting. There are many people who are
not loyal to our country and criticized Indian army, but we don’t have to give
them any proof."
"Someone said that I am
straight-forward (seedha-saadha). I think the Defence Minister should not be
straight when it comes to ensuring the safety of the country. "In matters
of the country's defence, I can think tedha (wily)."
"People knew the army’s prowess. But a
political decision needed to be taken. That has now happened under Modiji’s
leadership. The mindset of the country has changed."
October 1: "Pakistan's
condition after the surgical strikes is like that of an anesthetized patient
after a surgery who doesn't know that the surgery has already been performed on
him. Even two days after the surgical strikes, Pakistan+ has no idea what has
happened."
"Indian troops were like
Hanuman who did not quite know their prowess before the surgical strikes. The surgical
strikes gave our forces an idea of what they were capable of doing. Pakistan is
bewildered following the strikes, not quite knowing how to react."
Home Minister Rajnath Singh
has lent him some able support as reflected by his statements - putting India's
perspectives on a solid ground - be it the 'how and why' of the surgical strike
or our political willpower or credentials of our armed forces.
October 11: "I want to
welcome Modiji here as for the first time in the history of independent India
he has succeeded in holding country's head high at international level. He has
succeeded in giving message to the world that Bharat is not weak but it's a
'damdar' (powerful) nation. In last few days, we have displayed our strength.
We have sent out a message to the world that India is a strong country."
October 8: "Our heritage
is 'Vasudev Kutumbakam' meaning the whole world is one family. We do not intend
to occupy others' land. We never open fire first, but if attacked, in
retaliation we never count the bullets after pulling the trigger."
October 2: "The country
as well as the whole world is aware of this (surgical strikes)..the way our
jawans displayed valour have made India proud."
And like an efficient team-leader,
Narendra Modi caps what his ministers and party members say even if doesn't
mention Pakistan directly. He even warns them to desist from indulging in
'chest-thumping' over the surgical strike.
October 9: "We will
celebrate Vijaya Dashami in the coming days. This year's Vijaya Dashami is very
special for the country. Being strong does not mean being against anyone. If we
exercise for our strength, then the neighbour need not worry (thinking) that it
is to target him. I am exercising to strengthen myself and for my health."
CONGRESS IS IN A STATE OF
UTTER CONFUSION.
The party rushed to praise
the surgical strike and show solidarity with the government. Sonia Gandhi
issues a statement on September 29. Rahul Gandhi reacted on September 30.
Sonia Gandhi - September 29: "This
is a strong message that conveys our country's resolve to prevent further
infiltration and attacks on our security forces and our people. The party hopes
that Pakistan will recognize that it bears a great responsibility in the
continuing cross-border terrorist attacks against India. The Party expects that
Pakistan will take effective action to dismantle the infrastructure of
terrorism that it has supported and it ensures that its territory and the
territory under its control is not used for terrorist purposes against India."
Rahul Gandhi - September 30: "I
want to thank him (PM Modi) because for the first time in two and half years he
has taken an action that is of the stature of PM. Modi has my full support; the
Congress party and entire nation is standing by him."
But it has been a downhill
journey of contradictions and confusions since then. Some of its leaders like
Digvijaya Singh or Sanjay Nirpuam are openly questioning the authenticity of
the surgical strike, some others, including its many spokespersons, are busy
asking for proofs, while some other are still not sure what to say. The common
thread among them is that they all are asserting that many surgical strikes
were carried out even during the Congress regime but the party never went to
take credit as it showed political maturity. And since Congress has been silent
on taking any action against motormouths like Nirupam, it shows doing so has
tacit approval from the party because all such attempts are aimed at denying
the BJP any political gain from the surgical strike.
Rahul Gandhi - October 6: "Humare
jawan hai jinhone khoon diya hai, jinhone surgical strikes kiya, unke khoon ke
peeche aap (Modi) chuppe huye hai (Our soldiers conducted surgical strikes and
gave their blood. Modi is just hiding behind their sacrifices). Unki aap dalali
kar rahe ho (trading over the blood of Indian soldiers)."
Like of the BJP leaders, even
here the statements are self-explanatory.
P Chidambaram - October 12: "My
stand is quite clear. I said, we support the government. We believe the Army
and the DGMO. And whatever pre-emptive action the government of the day will
take, as a responsible opposition, the Congress party will support the
government. Now I said draw a line there, that subject is over."
"There have been demands
from quarters that evidence must be released. That is not questioning the Army
action. That is a suggestion to the government so that we can call the bluff of
Pakistan. Pakistan’s bluff has takers in some quarters, The New York Times,
Washington Post, some sections of the social media, even that forgotten group
called United Nations Observers Group. Therefore, to call Pakistan’s bluff, it
is for the government to consider whether it would like to release any
evidence. But I made it clear that’s a decision for the government to take.
Whatever decision government takes, in that respect, Congress party will
support that decision."
On earlier strikes: "Quite
rightly. Because the policy of the government of that day was strategic
restraint and as part of strategic restraint we left such cross-border action
to be handled by the Army at the operational, tactical level. We did not raise
it to the government level. I believe UPA’s policy was right. But I am not
saying that the present government cannot change that policy…Government has
fuller information than any one of us. And, therefore, I concede the right of the
government to adopt a modified policy. And, in fact, I go a step further and
say after Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Pampore and Uri, any government could be
expected to consider a modified policy."
Kapil Sibal - October 7: "Please
stop this poster baazi. Let the army do its job like it has been doing. Amit
Shah has said his party will take this surgical strike to the people: this
clearly shows they want to politicise the matter."
BJP ALLIES HAVE REACTED AS
PER THEIR COMPULSIONS.
Most of the BJP allies have
owned the surgical strike except the Shiv Sena and the PDP. Even they have not
criticised the step, but have exercised caution in praising the BJP (Shiv Sena)
or reacting on the news itself (PDP). The Shiv Sena-BJP combine is going
through a rough weather while the BJP-PDP combine is seen as an unnatural
alliance.
Shiv Sena - Uddhav Thackeray
- October 11: "After the strikes, I phoned Modi and told him,
'Narendrabhai, this is the Narendrabhai we want as PM. Modi should now take
such an action that not only PoK but entire Pakistan should be known as part of
India. Those who said the strikes were fake have rotten brains and water of
gutters of Lahore and Karachi and not blood flowing through their veins. Did
Rahul Gandhi learn of the 'khoon ki dalali' from Bofors (scam)?" How can
you show mistrust on Army while criticising Modi? Those who show distrust for
our brave soldiers may be offspring of Pakistan."
PDP - Mehbooba Mufti -
September 29: "We in J&K have suffered immensely because of the
violence and know very well its dangers and consequences. For the people of
Jammu and Kashmir, peace along the borders and within the mainland is of
immense significance and I hope the political leadership of the two countries
would also treat it with the same spirit."
SOME IN THE POLITICAL
OPPOSITION, ESPECIALLY THE REGIONAL FORCES, SAW THEIR FUTURE COURSE IN DENYING
THE BJP ANY SPACE.
Mayawati - October 10: "There
is a feeling among people that this (the strikes) could have been delayed for
taking political and electoral mileage. Instead of honouring its political
leaders after the strikes, BJP should have felicitated the army for it. The
credit for the strikes should go to the Indian army and not Narendra Modi."
Akhilesh Yadav - October 10: Backing
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's 'dalali' comments UP chief minister Akhilesh
Yadav said Rahul must have made his comments after much deliberation - "Unhone
ye bayan diya hai to kuch soch samajh ke diya hoga. Kuch jankari zaroor
hogi."
Akhilesh Yadav - October 6: "BJP
makes up new words. What is surgical? War is a war, the villagers don't
understand 'surgical'. It's good that Indian army conducted surgical strike,
but we still believe that dialogue is the best way to sort things out."
Lalu Yadav - October 10: "BJP
is falsely trying to take credit of brave acts of the Indian Army (for the
successful surgical strikes on the launch pads of terrorists in PoK). The Army
is known for its valour and it has given befitting reply to Pakistan's attempts
to push terrorists into the country and would do so in future as well. I am
sure if the need arises, our brave Army would do a major surgery like this in
future also."
SOME LIKE NITISH KUMAR HAVE
BEEN THERE FOR IT - RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING.
October 3: "The decision
of surgical strike taken by the Centre is successful. Everybody knows that the
Union Government is making foolproof arrangements to deal with such elements. Our
Army and Paramilitary personnel who are deployed at the borders have the strength
to deal with such situation."
September 29: "We are
proud of our Indian Army and we salute and appreciate their bravery and valour.
We sincerely congratulate the Central government and our brave armed forces for
the decisive action taken against terrorism."
AND ARVIND KEJRIWAL, LIKE
ALWAYS, HAS BEEN IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE - UPS AND DOWNS - UNSURE OF WHAT TO SAY,
WHEN TO SAY.
October 7: "I strongly
condemn what Rahul Gandhi said about our jawans, this is a matter in which we
all need to stand united. I pity Rahul's mindset. There should be no politics
on surgical strike and I am with Modi."
October 5: Accused the BJP of
playing politics over the surgical strike and questioning him for asking proof
to counter Pakistan's false propaganda.
October 3: "My blood
boiled when I saw that report. There were reports being published by BBC and
The New York Times questioning whether surgical strikes actually took place. Pakistan
is trying to damage India's reputation in the international community. I appeal
to the prime minister: Unmask Pakistan's false propaganda like the way you
(Modi) and the army taught Pakistan a lesson on the ground. Unmask Pakistan's
baseless attempt to damage the reputation of India on the global forum. The
entire country is with you. We are with you. I also appeal to the people to not
fall for Pakistan's false propaganda."
All quotes, statements and observations have been taken from media reports.
©SantoshChaubey