“Operation Dawood” – Congress’ Trump Card for 2014!

Since 1993 Mumbai Blasts, India has been trying hard to get its ‘Most Wanted’ terrorist Dawood Ibrahim back so that he can stand trial for the heinous crimes he committed, but in vain. There has been ample proof that Dawood resides in Pakistan under the high-security ISI cover, but the hostile neighbour always denied it. With a change in guard in Pakistan and Manmohan Singh government’s soft Pakistan policy, can be an indicator that it would be an endgame for Dawood sooner than later.

The Congress is facing its worst-ever crisis in the recent decades because of many issues, including corruption, high price rise, bad shape of Indian economy, hostilities from neighbours, Maoist menace and many more. Narendra Modi’s elevation at the national arena, has compounded their problems further. The Congress needs a miracle to undo the damages and bounce back with a bang in the run of 2014 general elections.

While the media, opposition and public have slammed the government for not taking a tough stand on Pakistan despite the beheading of jawans and killing of other Army personnel in LoC firing, the back-channel or Track-II diplomacy between both countries, could spring a major surprise. Eyebrows were raised when veteran Pakistani diplomat Shahryar Khan, who is also the special envoy of PM Nawaz Sharif, has made sensational claims that Dawood Ibrahim was staying in Pakistan, but was chased out. He was forced to withdraw the remarks at a later stage, but the message was loud and clear – the new government in Pakistan is willing to dump Dawood, but they are still struggling to convince the Army and ISI.

The recent arrest of LeT terrorist Abdul Karim Tunda, led to many disclosures related to Dawood. Tunda revealed that he met Dawood many times in Karachi and that the latter was staying under the security cover provided by the ISI. The Congress wants to score a point over the BJP and woo the voters of the nation by doing some miracle. And, what could be the best gift to the nation other than capture of Dawood Ibrahim at a time when the emotions are running high in India? Despite a huge uproar across the country, the UPA Government is adamant of maintaining good relations with Pakistan and wants to continue the dialogue process, signalling a major breakthrough, which may come soon. Tunda’s revelations, which hints at a direct link between the LeT and Dawood, should give enough reasons to India and Pakistan to act against the underworld don. The arrest of IM co-founder Yasin Bhatkal a few days ago, was yet another crucial development in India’s fight against terror.

Nawaz Sharif is a seasoned politician. His prime task is to maintain stronghold over his countrymen and at the same time to make a great impression over the global community. He wants to be seen as a progressive and reformist, not as a hardliner, who takes the country backward. And, Manmohan Singh, who is probably enjoying his last term as the PM, wants to consolidate his position further so that the Congress leadership does not even dare to replace him if UPA returns to power. Even if he fails to enjoy the support of the High Command in 2014, the PM still wants to remain in the history book as a leader, who brought a dreaded criminal like Dawood Ibrahim back to India, thus fulfilling the aspirations of more than a billion people.