I Have Been Misquoted, Says Yeddyurappa After Being Trolled For Cross-LoC Statement

He told reporters in Chitradurga on Wednesday "It (cross-LoC strike) has enthused youths; all this will help us in winning more than 22 Lok Sabha seats (in Karnataka)."

Outlook Web Bureau

Updated on: 28 February 2019 4:38 pm

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.

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. 1/2
— B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) February 28, 2019

My statement is being reported out of context. I said that ‘situation favourable for BJP’ which i am saying for last couple of months. This is not first time that i said BJP in Karnataka will win minimum 22 seats under the able leadership of Modi ji.
— B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) February 28, 2019

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.

On 27th Feb. B S Yeddyurappa at Chitradurga In a public function said :

" The Indian Armed Forces proved their mettle by destroying the terrorists' hideouts . The impact of this strike will help BJP win more than 22 seats in the state "

Is this patriotism or crass politics ?
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) February 28, 2019

Shocking & Shameful that in this time of grave National Crisis, BJP Leader Yeddyurappa says #airstrikes will help BJP win 22 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.
Will ruling party leaders stop thinking about their reelection plans and focus on the country for once? https://t.co/6Rqf7axGC4
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) February 28, 2019

There you have it. From the horse’s mouth. The real reason for the air strikes

https://t.co/1Muyb9lA8r
— Veena Venugopal (@veenavenugopal) February 28, 2019

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.