Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa’s comment that India’s airstrikes in Pakistan’s Balakot will “help BJP win 22 seats in Karnataka” appears to have become an embarrassment not just for the BJP but for the country itself.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf – used the BJP leader’s comment to taunt India and allege that Indians were “manipulated into war-mongering” by “people who are desperate to win an election”. On Thursday, 28 February, the party tweeted this from its handle, quoting journalist Barkha Dutt’s tweet condemning Yeddyurappa’s comment.