During an election rally in Bagalkote, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized his commitment to transparency and openness in military actions, stating that he informed Pakistani authorities before the Balakot airstrike in 2019. He highlighted that he didn't believe in attacking from behind and ensured that the airstrike was conducted openly.
PM Modi recounted that he had instructed the Indian forces to inform the media about the airstrikes, but before that, he attempted to inform Pakistani authorities through a phone call. However, when they didn't pick up the phone, he instructed the forces to wait. Only after informing Pakistani authorities did India disclose the airstrikes to the world, he added, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and openness in military operations.
The Balakot airstrikes were conducted by the Indian Air Force on terror hideouts in Pakistan in response to a terrorist attack on Indian paramilitary personnel in Pulwama, Jammu, and Kashmir, in February 2019.
PM Modi also addressed concerns about fake videos circulating on social media, attributing them to political opponents who had lost elections and were resorting to technology to spread misinformation. He urged people to report such videos to the authorities or BJP workers, assuring that legal action would be taken against the perpetrators.
Furthermore, PM Modi outlined his vision for India's economic growth, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the country's manufacturing sector and skill development initiatives. He criticized the Congress government in Karnataka for allegedly neglecting Bengaluru's tech industry and prioritizing the interests of the "tanker mafia" over addressing water scarcity issues.
The rally was attended by BJP leaders, candidates, and MPs from Bagalkote and Vijayapura, including B S Yediyurappa, P C Gaddigoudar, and Ramesh Jigajinagi.
