After facing flak over his statement that the cross-LoC air strikes will help the BJP win 22 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, state BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa said Thursday that he has been “misinterpreted".
“I would like to clarify that my yesterday’s statement has been completely misinterpreted. I have the highest regard for our armed forces. I salute the bravery of our men in fighting for the country’s safety,” the BJP leader tweeted.
Yeddyurappa had told reporters in Chitradurga on Wednesday: "The atmosphere....day by day the wind is increasingly blowing in favour of BJP. Yesterday's action of destroying terror hideouts by entering inside Pakistan has resulted in a pro-Modi wave in the country, the results of which can be seen in coming Lok Sabha polls."
"It has enthused youths; all this will help us in winning more than 22 Lok Sabha seats (in Karnataka)."
The BJP leader was criticised and widely trolled on Twitter.
Congress leader Siddaramaiah condemned BJP leader Yeddyurappa's statement, saying that it is quite "unfortunate" that BJP is seeking electoral benefit from the incident and making "sadist" remarks.
India conducted a major preemptive strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp early Tuesday, killing a "very large number" of terrorists, trainers and senior commanders. India's action comes close on the heels of the Pulwama incident in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed in one of the deadliest terror strikes in decades in Jammu and Kashmir.
Currently, BJP holds 16 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, Congress 10 and JD(S) 2. The ruling alliance Congress and JD(S), who have decided to contest the Lok Sabha polls together have begun discussions about seat sharing.
Sharing of seats is expected to be a litmus test for both parties with JD(S) demanding for 10-12 seats, while Congress has maintained that seat sharing will be based on merit.
