Going ballistic over Balakot

The unsavoury slugfest between the BJP-led NDA government and the Opposition over the Balakot air strike is getting shriller by the day. What’s worse, it threatens to erode the diplomatic gains achieved by India after the Pulwama attack. At a time when national security should be of utmost concern, our politicians are busy playing a below-the-belt blame game for electoral gains. On Sunday, PM Narendra Modi claimed that the Opposition was demoralising the security forces by demanding proof of the counter-terror operation. His contention that the rival parties were playing into the hands of India’s enemies by doubting the IAF air strike was echoed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. No mention, of course, was made by both of party leader BS Yeddyurappa’s injudicious remark about the BJP’s ‘brightening’ poll prospects.

Last week, 21 outfits led by the Congress had accused the ruling party of ‘blatantly politicising’ the sacrifices of the armed forces. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had stated that the lives of jawans were much more valuable than electoral politics, but she hastened to add that the nation had the right to know what actually happened at Balakot. No stranger to controversial remarks, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh had asked the Centre to present conclusive evidence of the February 26 operation.

Even as the high-stakes General Election is around the corner, both camps ought to exercise restraint while commenting on the recent developments and stop provoking each other. They should either speak in one voice or remain silent. Their tussle for power should play out behind the scenes, at least for the time being. BJP president Amit Shah is taking credit for 250 terrorists killed in the air strike, whereas Congress leaders have slammed the government quoting international media reports that there are no casualties. Our political leadership should desist from dissecting the aerial strike to embarrass each other. On their guard against further misadventures by the neighbour, India’s defence personnel can certainly do without politicians beating the poll drum.