Pak Agreed to Release IAF Pilot After Modi’s Warning: Yeddyurappa

Yeddyurappa had come under fire for his remark that IAF’s air strike will help BJP secure 22 seats in Karnataka.

BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa.

(Photo: AP)

Hailing Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, Karanataka BJP President BS Yeddyurappa on Friday, 1 March, said that the IAF pilot was released after Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned Pakistan to hand him over to India without delay or face the consequences.

Addressing a party workers’ meet, Yeddyurappa said the pilot “was released because a warning was issued to Pakistan by the prime minister of dire consequences if he was not released, and they promptly agreed to release him,” The Indian Express reported.

“The tactics of Narendra Modi has exposed Pakistan and now Pakistan stands isolated in the whole world. Even China is not supporting Pakistan and this has tamed Pakistan. It is the first time in 40 years that Indian forces have crossed the border and ventured into Pakistan – it is a consequence of the forces being given complete freedom to show their courage and bravery.”

BS Yeddyurappa, as quoted by <a href="https://indianexpress.com/elections/iaf-pilot-abhinandan-varthaman-freed-after-pm-modi-warned-pakistan-says-bs-yeddyurappa-5607599/">The Indian Express</a>

Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was handed over to India by Pakistan at the Attari-Wagah border on Friday night, days after his MiG-21 aircraft was downed during an aerial combat.

Yeddyurappa had come under fire on Thursday, 28 February, for his statement that the IAF's pre-emptive strike inside Pakistani territory would help the BJP secure at least 22 out of 28 seats in Karnataka in the Lok Sabha elections.

On Friday, the state BJP president also urged party workers to live up to PM Modi’s expectation of winning 300 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls by winning all the 28 seats from the state, reported PTI. Yeddyurappa added that it was the responsibility of party workers to put in all their efforts to make Modi the prime minister again.

Modi Warned Pakistan Not to Harm IAF Pilot: Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also made similar remarks on Friday, saying that PM Modi had warned Pakistan not to harm Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

Addressing a gathering at a Shivratri fair at Junagadh town of Gujarat, Adityanath said Modi was a "strong prime minister.”

“There was a time when Pakistan used to attack us indiscriminately. And we know how difficult it was in the past to secure the release of our soldiers from their custody. This time, our brave IAF pilots destroyed Pakistan fighter planes before they could enter Indian territory.”

Yogi Adityanath, as quoted by PTI

"He (Modi) made it clear that we will not compromise. A warning was given that Pakistan will face consequences if anything happens to the soldier. Only a strong PM can show such willpower," he said.

(With inputs from PTI and The Indian Express.)