Indian Prime Minister Modi’s party predicts HUGE BOOST in elections after Pakistan ATTACKS
INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi can expect a wave of support in upcoming elections after his country’s armed confrontation with neighbouring Pakistan, according to a senior figure within his party.
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The claim was made by B.S. Yeddyurappal, who heads Mr Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the southern Karnataka state. Mr Yeddyurappal expressed confidence Mr Modi’s actions would help the BJP regain power in the state. Yesterday at least one Indian warplane was shot down by Pakistani forces, with a pilot taken into custody.
It followed an attack by Indian jets on suspected militant camps in Pakistan on February 26.
Mr Yeddyurappal commented: “This has brought a pro-Modi wave all through the country.
“The effect of this will be seen in the elections.”
An Indian general election is set to take place in April and May.
Mr Modi, who is seeking a second term as Prime Minister, launched his campaign in January.
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He faces opposition from Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition Indian National Congress party.
Elections are also due to take place in a number of India’s states and union territories.
Mr Modi became Prime Minister in May 2014 after the BJP, a conservative and nationalist-leaning party, won the last Indian general election.
Pakistan claimed yesterday that it shot down two Indian jets which entered its territory, capturing one pilot.
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The Indian military admitted to losing one aircraft but claimed it shot down a Pakistani jet in return, which Islamabad denies.
The confrontation followed an attack, by 12 Indian Mirage 2000 jets, on suspected militant camps in Pakistan earlier this week.
This was carried out in retaliation for a suicide bombing in Indian controlled Kashmir earlier this month, which killed at least 40 paramilitary troops.
Responsibility was claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed, an Islamist fundamentalist group.