Country is in safe hands, Modi says after IAF strike

Hours after the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out pre-dawn air strikes against terror launch pads in Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong message reassuring people that the country was in safe hands and the Union government would take all measures to protect the country.

Political parties, including the opposition, closed ranks on the issue and rallied behind the government and the security forces, putting aside their differences for now despite the forthcoming general election. This is in line with the opposition’s stance of backing anti-terror actions after the Pulwama attack.

“I want to assure the people of India that the country is in safe hands. I would not let the country suffer. I will save the honour of the country. I will not let the country bow down,” Modi said at a public meeting in Churu, Rajasthan, just hours after foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale confirmed the air strikes.

The votes of the people would make the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and him stronger while weakening those who are planning to form a coalition government, Modi said. “The votes of the people would give strength to BJP and me. It will also weaken those who believe they can form a coalition government and a weak government at the centre,” he said.

BJP president Amit Shah also congratulated the armed forces. “I congratulate and salute the bravery and valour of our armed forces. Today’s action further demonstrates that India is safe and secure under the strong & decisive leadership of PM Narendra Modi,” Shah wrote on Twitter.

National security and terrorism have emerged as key issues for the forthcoming general election after the Pulwama attack earlier this month. Opposition parties maintained their stance of supporting anti-terror actions and backed the government and complimented security forces over the air strikes.

One of the earliest opposition reactions came from Congress president Rahul Gandhi. “I salute the pilots of the IAF,” Gandhi wrote on Twitter. After the Pulwama attack, Gandhi said at a press conference at the party’s headquarters that his party and other opposition parties stood with the government and security forces on anti-terrorism measures.

“IAF also means India’s Amazing Fighters. Jai Hind,” Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief wrote on Twitter. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, too, complimented the air force for its “brave” work but said it would have been better if the BJP-led government “had given a free hand to the armed forces earlier”.

Others who also lauded the action included Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and Shiromani Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal.

Later in the day, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj hosted an all-party meeting to brief allies and opposition parties over the security situation. After the Pulwama attacks too, home minister Rajnath Singh had called for an all-party meet.

“I am happy that all representatives in the meeting in one voice complimented the Indian Air Force and then assured support for any anti-terror action being taken by the government. Everyone was united above party lines,” Swaraj told ANI after the meeting.

“In the meeting, we praised the efforts by the security forces and they have always had our support to end terrorism. Another good thing was that it was a clean operation which specifically targeted terrorists and terror camps,” leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress said after the meeting.