Now, it’s advantage Modi!

New Delhi: India’s airstrikes well into Pakistani territory after the Pulwama terror attack could well change the narrative for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP in the 2019 general election.

Reeling under the Rafale controversy, the economic slowdown, growing unemployment, the Opposition’s grand alliance taking a threatening shape and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s entry into politics, the BJP had its back to the wall. Tuesday’s airstrikes destroying the Jaish-e-Mohammed’s terror training camp inside Pakistan has put the BJP way ahead of all others in the general election race. Within hours of the airstrikes, an aggressive Mr Modi declared at a public rally in Churu in Rajasthan: “I promise this that I will not let this country bow down. India is in safe hands.”

The Opposition, which was sharpening its knives to take the government on over the “intelligence failure” over the Pulwama attack, was not merely stumped but came out with full praise for the Indian Air Force action. While they chose to ignore the Prime Minister in their comments, a senior Congress leader pointed out: “No doubt Modi has surged ahead with the airstrike.”

With this, Mr Modi has regained his image as a “strong and decisive leader”. A BJP leader said: “Now you know what the man with a 56-inch chest can do.” BJP
president Amit Shah tweeted: “I congratulate and salute the bravery and valour of our armed forces. Today’s action further demonstrates that India is safe and secure under the strong & decisive leadership of PM @narendramodi.”

The BJP, which only a few weeks back was looking at the possibility of getting 200 or fewer seats in the Lok Sabha polls, has again started talking about “300 seats”. Somewhat blindsided, the airstrikes will be on top of the agenda at a meeting of Opposition leaders to be held in New Delhi on Wednesday to chalk out a common minimum programme and a pre-poll alliance for the general election.

Sources said the Congress was aware that bringing the discourse back to the agrarian crisis, unemployment and Rafale, among other issues, to counter the BJP’s pitch on nationalism would be a “difficult task”. The Congress leader indicated the Opposition needs to be cautious in countering the BJP’s nationalist agenda as “they will be in danger of being labelled anti-nationals, particularly after the airstrike”.

That Mr Modi has yet again managed to score big with his daring strike became evident with news agencies reporting that “Indians were taking to the streets in celebration across the country on Tuesday after the government said it carried out airstrikes inside Pakistan, killing hundreds of militants in a training camp”.