'Mission Shakti': A-Sat bolsters BJP’s narrative on security, decisiveness

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s afternoon address may have appeared a tepid denouement after the fevered build up, but the announcement of the “satellite kill” technology builds into the narrative of decisiveness and robust national security that has undergirded BJP’s plank since IAF’s raid on the Jaish-e-Mohammed’s Balakot terror camp.

“Parakram (valour), surakasha (security), siddhi (accomplishment), Anatariksh mahashakti (space power) asadharan safalta (unprecedented achievement)”, the PM used a string of powerful expressions to convey the message that the country on his watch has pulled off yet another feat which has earned it place on the bench with Big Boys.

The A-Sat technology fits in neatly with the message of resurgent India BJP has tried to project as it seeks a second term for Modi.

Modi scrupulously refrained from engaging in partisan point scoring, highlighting the achievement which, he emphasised, should make every Indian proud, assigning the credit to the scientists.

But the point that it was his decisiveness which unshackled the Defence Research and Development Organisation actualise the potential it had developed for a “kinetic kill” was forcefully made by his colleagues. Taking advantage of the opening provided by opponents, especially Congress leaders like Ahmed Patel who attributed the successful ASAT test to progress under former PM Manmohan Singh, BJP chief Amit Shah and finance minister Arun Jaitley underlined that the UPA had denied DRDO the go-ahead in 2012 to build upon the advances they had made while developing the Agni-V missile.

“UPA did not have the courage to back its institutions and people, NDA under PM Modi has shown the conviction to do so. The anti-satellite missile was successfully tested in space but it seems a few people on earth have also got hurt,” Shah said.

The BJP chief also took on Congress president Rahul Gandhi for mocking the PM’s announcement as a stunt befitting “World Theatre Day”.

Modi’s address was a reassertion of BJP’s agenda of decisiveness and national security, key poll planks of the party. The party is set to drum up the feat in the campaign along with recent steps like Balakot air strikes.

The message of national security was amplified by Jaitley, who said the ASAT test will help prepare the country for wars of tomorrow. “Deterrence is the best defence,” said the finance minister as he emphasised that the decision to authorise DRDO to develop “satellite kill” technology was taken after Modi became PM in 2014.