BJP caught in a dilemma over response to Uri attack

KOZHIKODE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi might have given some talking points to the BJP to address the “jaw-for-a-tooth” clamour following last Sunday’s attack on Uri army base. The party was in a dilemma over how to aggressively pitch its nationalist credentials amid growing clamour for a befitting reply to the perpetrators of the terror attack (read Pakistan).

The draft political resolution, to be adopted by the party’s national council on Sunday, did not mention the Uri attack when it came up for discussion by senior party leaders on Friday. Party president Amit Shah addressed them but skipped any reference to Uri attack or Pakistan. He said that the BJP, as the ruling party, has to behave “responsibly” even as he stressed that the party has to walk the talk in terms of delivery. Shah is not known to be too subtle in delivering messages but for once, some office-bearers had many questions in their minds.

The final resolution that the apex decision-making body will pass on Sunday is likely to reflect the PM’s aggressive rhetoric against Pakistan but not matching it with action could still leave the BJP vulnerable.

The ruling party is conscious of the public outrage over the Uri attack, especially among its cadre and supporters. “We couldn’t do anything after the attack on the Pathankot air base. We could justify it because Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif called Modiji and promised action against the perpetrators. If we don’t do anything after the Uri attack, how will our cadre and supporters react? They will think there is no difference between Modiji and Manmohan Singh, between BJP and Congress,” said a senior BJP functionary.

The party might have opted for rhetorical bravado but the government has advised it “not to go overboard” while attempting to match the expectations of the party cadre. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar told party leaders early this week that their statements should be “moderate, not shrill”, said sources. The reason for this guarded approach is the fact that the government does not want to take any retaliatory action immediately, said sources. Its priority is to isolate Pakistan diplomatically, as the Prime Minister spelt out at his public rally on Saturday evening.

The BJP finds itself in a cleft stick: The government wants it to be moderate but its core constituency of supporters expects it to live up to its promises made while in opposition. Moderation or restraint is not the core strength of BJP, which used to pan former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for being “weak” in responding to cross-border terror. As opposition leader, Swaraj wanted 10 Pakistani heads for one of an Indian soldier. Such aggressive posturing while in opposition has returned to haunt the ruling party now.