1. Can terror cases and cross-border ops influence polls?

 

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5 THINGS FIRST Nominations for Phase 3 of Lok Sabha polls 2024 in 12 states from today; Inflation for March and IIP data for February to be released; PM Modi to address rally in Barmer and a roadshow in Dausa in Rajasthan; RBI to conduct auctions of Govt bonds worth Rs 30,000 crore; IPL 2024 – LSG vs DC

1. Can terror cases and cross-border ops influence polls? A claim and a connection Several political analysts credited PM Modi’s return to power in 2019 to the cross-border strike in Pakistan’s Balakot by the Indian Air Force in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. Terrorists had ambushed a CRPF convoy, resulting in the death of 40 jawans in J&K’s Pulwama in February 2019. It’s being debated whether the 2024 election is witnessing a similar moment (Read this ET copy), especially after a Guardian report claimed that R&AW agents were involved in about 20 targeted killings inside Pakistan in recent months. R&AW works directly under the PMO. What’s happening now? Union ministers including PM Modi have referred to counter-terror operations across borders in their election speeches. On Thursday, Modi told a rally in Uttarakhand, “Whenever we have had a weak government in the country, our enemies have taken advantage of it. With a strong BJP government at the Centre, terrorists are killed on their own turf. Today, Tiranga has become a guarantee of safety on the battlefield.” Not the first claim This is not the first time that Modi has said this against the backdrop of the allegations of extra-territorial killing. In Bihar’s Jamui, where he shared the stage with CM Nitish Kumar, Modi said, “Aaj ka Bharat ghar mein ghuskar maarta hai.” He reiterated it in Rajasthan’s Churu. More here This also comes when the anti-terror agency, NIA, has seemingly increased its raids in West Bengal and south India. Recently, complaints were filed with the Election Commission to stop NIA raids (read this TOI report). Mamata mocks NIA action On the other hand, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Centre is misusing the NIA to do the political bidding of the BJP. At an Eid prayer meeting in Kolkata on Thursday, she said, “If anyone comes to riot, you should keep quiet, keep your head cool...If there is a blast, they (BJP) send the NIA to arrest everyone. By arresting everyone, your country will become desolate.” Her remarks came days after an NIA team, probing a bomb blast case, was attacked in Bengal.