IAF air strike and release of pilot: Credit goes to PM Modi, says Shobha Karandlaje

Udupi, Mar 2: Days after Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa unhesitatingly linked IAF air strike inside Pakistan to Lok Sabha polls, his confidante and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje today gave credit of air strike and release of captured Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistan to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing media persons here, the firebrand BJP leader said that PM had deftly handled the situation arising out of the Pulwama terrorist attack by conducting air strikes on alleged terrorist camps in Pakistan and also getting Abhinandan released from Pakistan.

She claimed that Mr Modi had got not just military but also diplomatic success to the country. The other countries of the world have understood India’s position, and the credit for the successful handling of the entire situation must go to the PM, she said, likening Mr Modi to a “lion cub”.

She said Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s bravery in dealing with Pakistani authorities was remarkable. “It brought tears to my eyes,” she said.

To a query, Ms Karandlaje said Yeddyurappa had been quoted out of context on his remark that the BJP would win 22 seats in the State with the “increasing Modi wave” among youngsters after the Indian air strikes against Pakistan.