In what corroborates the affinity shared by the Congress and Pakistan towards each other, Pakistani media seems to be elated at BJP’s defeat in the recent assembly polls. An article in the Dawn, a leading Pakistani daily went on to suggest that the BJP lost in the assembly elections due to its Hindutva motifs, which are not “clicking with the people”. It seems that the Pakistani media is following the same line and narrative as propagated by the Lutyens’ media outlets and the left-liberals in India. The newspaper also indulged in the kind of fear mongering which is otherwise typical of the left-liberal cabal in India and went on to state, “Results from crucial state polls in India on Tuesday have come as a major setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of next year’s general election…Mr Modi’s term in office has seen an unprecedented recourse to lynching of Muslims by self-styled cow vigilantes as an instrument of political mobilisation.”
The Pakistani newspaper also made a mention of India’s first cow minister, Otaram Dewasi losing his seat in Sirohi to an independent candidate by 10,000 votes and suggested that this was a symbol of sorts to mock the PM’s politics of Hindutva. Not only this, but the Dawn also launched a desperate attack on Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. The article went on to state, “The fact that it (BJP) deployed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for campaigning is being interpreted in two ways. The BJP’s Hindutva hardliners are arguing that Mr Adtiyanath, known for his anti-Muslim vitriol, may have saved the party from a bigger defeat. But it could also be a talking point for those in the BJP who see the campaign to build the Ram temple in Ayodhya and other Hindutva motifs as not clicking with the people.”
The Dawn did not stop at celebrating BJP’s defeat in the Assembly polls but seemed to be almost urging the anti-BJP forces to pull up their socks and take on Prime Minister Modi. It suggested that Rahul Gandhi “would need to take a call on how to pull together often the perennially querulous groups within the Congress, a factor that could have prevented the party from getting a clear majority in Madhya Pradesh.” Dawn also suggested that it is time for smaller groups such as the Aam Aadmi Party to get serious about the general elections. The Pakistani newspaper seems to be suggesting and craving for the creation of a mahagathbandhan in order to defeat the BJP. It seems that the Pakistani media has also realized that the grand coalition in Indian scenario seems unlikely and therefore, such Pakistani media outlets might push for it now.
However, this is not for the first time that Pakistani media has celebrated BJP’s defeat. Even in 2015, when the BJP had lost in Bihar assembly polls, the Dawn celebrated the BJP’s defeat and its headline read, “Bihar steals Modi’s firecrackers”. The newspaper had taken a dig at BJP president Amit Shah’s remark that if the BJP lost in Bihar there would be crackers (or fireworks) in Pakistan.
What must be borne in mind is the fact that this newspaper article comes on the heels of Pakistani PM’s remark, “The ruling party [in India] has an anti-Muslim, anti-Pakistan approach.” The Pakistani media is now following the same line and trying to paint the BJP and Prime Minister Modi in a bad light. Moreover, such nefarious propagandists in Pakistan have the active and open support of Congress leaders like Navjot Singh Sidhu, who on the instructions of the party high command visit Pakistan and openly act against India’s interests. In order to undermine Prime Minister Modi in India, such elements even go to the extent of showering praises on Imran Khan.
First indications of Congress-Pakistan bonhomie were visible after 2014 came when Congress leader, Mani Shankar Aiyar begged the terrorist nation to help the Congress in removing the Modi government. It seems that Pakistan reciprocated strongly to this demand by the Congress. And both the political leadership and media establishment in Pakistan are constantly maligning India’s political leadership in its crusade against the BJP. Congress meanwhile seems more interested in appeasing the Pakistani leadership than protecting India’s integrity and honour. The fact that a terrorist country is celebrating Congress’ victory in assembly polls is enough to suggest what is wrong with the Congress and why it must be rejected in the general elections next year.