Mamata Banerjee has touched a new low even by her dubious political standards. She has directly expressed doubt over the results of the ferocious airstrikes that the IAF carried out in Pakistan. She has shamelessly politicised the airstrikes that were carried out in Pakistan. The West Bengal chief minister said, “We want to know what really happened. National TV channels were showing that 300 to 350 people were killed, but international media is reporting that no such thing happened, that the bomb missed its target and no one died! So what is the truth? Where did they drop the bomb? Was it dropped at the right target?” It is clear that she is directly going by the version which has been given by the Pakistani military establishment and media.
The IAF had held a press conference yesterday, in which it had stated that the airstrikes on the Jaish-e-Mohammed’s terror training camps in Balakot, Pakistan were successful and were able to hit the intended targets. Air Vice Marshal, RGK Kapoor also said that there was credible evidence to show that the strikes were successful and that the desired result was produced. He added that it was up to the political leadership to decide upon the question of releasing the evidence of the airstrikes’ success. In an ideal world, Mamata Banerjee would have relied upon the IAF statement. However, the West Bengal chief minister seems to be more interested in politicising the entire incident.
Pakistan is in the habit of remaining in denial even after being hit hard in its own backyard. However, this time around even Pakistan’s rail minister has admitted in a joint session of the Parliament that the 14 IAF fighter jets had entered the Pakistani airspace and caused destruction to madrasas run by “Azhar Sahab” (he was referring to the chief of terror organisation, Jaish e Mohammed). It became amply clear that Pakistan is trying to hide the embarrassment of having its terror training camps decimated.
Mamata did not stop here but also said, “We stand by the Indian soldiers and armed forces but don’t want a war for a political interest. Politics ahead of elections with the blood of jawans is not acceptable. We want that our forces be allowed to reveal the facts about what really happened there (Balakot). If it is (war) for national security, we are with the nation but if it’s for politics, and for winning elections, we condemn it.” It is shocking that the TMC supremo, Mamata, has the audacity of once again linking the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan with the upcoming elections. This goes on to show that certain political leaders like her cannot rise above narrow political considerations and party lines. For them national security is not the paramount consideration. When it comes to criticising PM Modi, they can go to any extent, even if it means giving fodder to Pakistan.
Pakistan had earlier used appropriate fodder in the bizarre statements made by the Indian opposition. Pakistan is trying to paint India in bad light by using the outrageous statement made by the opposition. Pakistan’s minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also used the statement made by the Indian opposition. He said, “Today, the 21 Opposition parties in India have also told the BJP not to play politics on this matter. The Opposition parties of India have said that BJP is using the Pulwama attack for elections, they are politicising the matter.” One does not need much intellect to understand that the opposition’s poorly timed attack at the Modi government is giving a lot of fodder to Pakistan. By linking the Pulwama attacks with the upcoming polls, the opposition has created an imaginary issue which Pakistan is actively trying to use. It is clear that whenever the opposition politicises the tense situation between India and Pakistan and links it with the Lok Sabha elections, Pakistan gets an opportunity to attack India and its government.