Of all things that one thought might happen this election, the Indian Army tweeting a set of photos from the Himalayas and claiming that footprints of urban legend ‘Yeti’ beast have been spotted, was the least expected
But, it happened and now there’s no going back.
For the first time, an #IndianArmy Moutaineering Expedition Team has sited Mysterious Footprints of mythical beast 'Yeti' measuring 32×15 inches close to Makalu Base Camp on 09 April 2019. This elusive snowman has only been sighted at Makalu-Barun National Park in the past. pic.twitter.com/AMD4MYIgV7
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) April 29, 2019
The tweet has taken social media by storm and people are speculating about an interesting implication of the ‘discovery’ — how it will feature into the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign for the Lok Sabha polls. As we have seen, to ask for votes, the PM has used the death of 44 jawans in Pulwama, the Balakot air strike. Bizarrely, the PM even used the Sri Lanka Easter Sunday terror attack that killed over 200 people, to solicit votes during one of his speeches.
Also Read: Shame: Modi Asks People to Vote in The Name of Pulwama Martyrs, Balakot
Clearly, everything that happens anywhere in the country, the PM either takes credit for it or uses it to ask for votes. So why would the ‘Yeti’ fiasco be any different?
Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appears to agree with the proposition.
BJP must be working out how to fit this in to the rest of the campaign. https://t.co/myxvuPxCzv
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 30, 2019
Here are the different ways Twitterati say the matter will find a place in the BJP’s campaign.
Looking forward to PM Modi using the Yeti discovery to ask for votes.
"Mitron, we have a new powerful soldier at the border. It can only be tamed it if you vote for us. Congress hasn't been able to domesticate the Yeti for the past 70 years."
— meghnad (Nerds ka Parivaar) (@Memeghnad) April 30, 2019
Omg is the BJP tapping into the Yeti vote bank?
https://twitter.com/AnantRangaswami/status/1123105670775971842
If PM Modi can hog the limelight for A-SAT test that was a result of years of hard work by India’s scientists, it is reasonable to assume that he will announce this achievement and blame the Congress for not having discovered the alleged footprints earlier.
https://twitter.com/akashbanerjee/status/1123062212904382469
https://twitter.com/Dilsedesh/status/1123096238927241217
Samajwadi Party president hit the ball out of the park with this masterpiece.
It seems that "Acche Din" are more elusive than the #Yeti https://t.co/fUS9AuGyks
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) April 30, 2019
One person noted how the BJP-RSS spew hate against minorities but are offended at a probably non-existent creature being referred to as a “beast”
BJP chowkidar's will show respect for Yeti, which by the way, doesn't exist, but ask them to show respect to minorities and you know what answer you'll get. https://t.co/TR3FFxhHF1
— Raghav Chopra (@RaghavChopra_) April 30, 2019
Another person found an interesting connection between the ‘discovery’ and Ladakh going to polls on May 6.
#Yeti is revered in only one constituency in India .. #Ladakh ..
They are going to poll on May 6 .. The Next Phase ..
..
Ek seat ke liye .. Itna chinchhora-pann .. #OMFGodse ..— Shuvankar Mukherjee (@shuvankr) April 30, 2019
Will the Navy now find the Loch Ness Monster?
After the Indian Air Force's Success in Balakot, the Indian Army had to find a Yeti! The Supreme Leader should now direct the Indian Navy to find out the Sea Monster! https://t.co/uD5p6Fr5z2
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) April 30, 2019
If you’re laughing too hard, please take a step back and think about the state of science and research under the Modi government.
Army reporting Yeti sighting. Archaeological Survey looking for "invisible" Saraswati. Indian Science Congress accepting papers on powered flight in Ancient India. The Scientific Temper is in great shape, folks. https://t.co/O12qNndZSL
— paritosh0.bsky.social #DontLetHateWin #डरो मत (@paritoshZero) April 30, 2019
You know how PM Modi keeps recalling his days in the Himalayas? We’re 100 per cent certain that Yeti will feature in his next poll speech or ‘interview’.
Why not ask the man who spent many mysterious, solitary years in the Himalayas – PM Modi?
We’re anyway blessed to have a leader who knows everything about everything – climate change, transplant surgery, monetary policy, missiles, mythology, history, mangoes, crocodiles. #Yeti https://t.co/cqDhGxCbm2
— @rakeshfilm (Rakesh Sharma) (@rakeshfilm) April 30, 2019
And our personal favourite:
Now BJP can start Yeti Bachao Yeti Padhao
— Abhi (@AbhishekGureja) April 30, 2019
Also Read: Bizarre, Relentless Politicisation: Modi Says Every Indian Proud That Abhinandan Is From Tamil Nadu