B S Yeddyurappa, chief of Bharatiya Janata Party’s unit in Karnataka, said on political dividend of Indian Air Force’s strike on a terrorist training camp at Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of the neighbouring country.
 
He claimed the Air strike will benefit BJP in his state to get 22 out 29 Lok sabha seats
 
In a post on Twitter on Thursday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), the ruling party in the neighbouring country, referred to Yeddyurappa’s recent comment that India’s air strikes on the Jaish-e-Mohammad’s camp in Pakistan on Tuesday had resulted in a wave in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and would help the BJP win over 22 of 28 Lok Sabha seats from Karnataka in the parliamentary elections scheduled to take place by May.
 
Earlier, when eminent Indian journalist Barkha Dutt posted a comment on the remark of Karnataka BJP chief, Imran Khan’s party took note of it and tweeted: “We hope you understand that you were manipulated into warmongering.
 
“Air Force excursions, war mongering, soldiers in captivity and the lives of so many people in danger all equate to 22 seats in the eyes of representatives on India’s ruling party. Is war an election option?” the PTI posted on Twitter.
 
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah hit out at Yeddyurappa on Twitter. “Shocking & disgusting to understand #BJPsPlot4Vote. It is unfortunate that BJP is calculating electoral gains even before the dust has settled. No patriot shall derive such sadistic gains over soldiers’ death, only an anti-nationalist can. What will RSS say about this?”
 
Karnataka Chief Minister HD , too, targeted Yeddyurappa. “The entire nation is united in supporting the central govt & our armed forces to fight terrorism, while BJP leader Yeddyurappa is busy calculating how many extra LS seats the terror attack & Pak war can bring to his party. It’s shameful to exploit our jawans’ sacrifice for electoral gains,” he said in a tweet.
 
Finding out his speech created bitter furore On Thursday, Yeddyurappa tweeted to clarify: “My statement is being reported out of context. I said that ‘situation favourable for BJP’ which I am saying for last couple of months (sic). This is not first time that I said BJP in Karnataka will win minimum 22 seats under the able leadership of Modi ji.”
 
Later speaking to reporters, Yeddyurappa brushed the controversy aside. “Where’s the question of using the situation for politics? All political parties, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, have welcomed (India’s action). There’s no question of politicising this,” he said.
 
In a fresh tweet, Yeddyurappa clarified thus: “I would like to clarify that my yesterday’s statement has been completely misinterpreted. I have highest regard for our armed forces.
 
I salute the bravery of our men in fighting for the country’s safety. I stand along with my fellow countrymen and pray for the safe return of Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. To me, the Nation comes first and then the party.”