Modi or Imran: Who Gets Credit for Pilot’s Release? Twitter Split
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was taken into custody by Pakistan forces on Wednesday.
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Amid Indo-Pak tensions, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday, 28 February, announced that Pakistan would return Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman who was captured by Pakistan forces on Wednesday.
A day after IAF’s 12 Mirage 2000 aircrafts crossed the Line of Control and reportedly bombed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed's camps in Balakot, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has confirmed that Pakistan undertook strikes across the LoC. Later the country confirmed that they had captured one Indian pilot whose aircraft was shot down on the other side of the border.
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was taken into custody by Pakistan and the Ministry of External Affairs reacted on Thursday.
The Congress took to Twitter and said it is relieved with the news of the pilot’s release. “We salute his incredible bravery in the face of uncertainty,” the party said.
While some see it as a great gesture from the neighbouring country, others attributed it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
‘Power of Modi Govt, Indian Forces’
Maharashtra BJP General Secretary Atul Bhatkhalkar attributed Khan’s announcement to the power of the Modi government and Indian forces.
‘Modi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai’
Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Foreign Affairs Department In-Charge Vijay Chauthiawale took to Twitter to express full credit for the decision to the Modi government.
“The power of strong leadership is clearly visible to everyone in India now. Abhinandan was held by the Pakistanis but our leadership did not show any weakness,” he tweeted.
‘Decision Should be Seen as a Great Gesture’
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted that Pakistan could have chosen to escalate an already tense situation, and said that India’s leadership should reciprocate the gesture.
She also told ANI “Good news, whole nation will be relieved. I hope our leadership will also reciprocate this peace gesture. I hope Imran Khan will stand by his word and take steps on Indian dossier on Pulwama attack. Imran Khan has acted like a statesman.”
Former Indian Administrative Officer Shah Faesal called Pakistan PM a ‘statesman’ for the gesture.
Shama Mohamed, national media panelist of Conrgess’ AICC, hit out at the BJP for ‘counting seats’ ahead of the Lok Sabha elections while the ‘rest of the India’ will count minutes till the IAF pilot returns.
‘Step Towards Goodwill’
Others refrained from appreciating either Pakistan PM or the BJP for the decision and just expressed happiness over the promised return of Wing Commander Abhinandan.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh told ANI “I’m very happy, I had demanded his release earlier too. This is going to be a step towards goodwill and I hope this will be lasting.”
Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s brother-in-law Robert Vadra also told ANI “It is the best news for his family and every citizen of India."
Omar Abdullah, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, reacted on Twitter saying that he will wait for the pilot to be back on Indian soil and that he is relieved that Imran Khan announced his imminent release.
Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s chief minister, also expressed gratitude and hoped the pilot is reunited with his family on Friday.
Kiren Bedi also took to Twitter to acknowledge India’s ‘firm stand and international glare’ behind Varthaman’s return.
Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal’s chief minister, said “we are anxiously waiting for the safe return of our pilot’ along with his family members.
Minister of State, Law and Justice, and Corporate Affairs PP Chaudhary welcomed the pilot on Twitter.
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