Counter charges on COVID-19 response and vaccination, PM tells BJP MPs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told BJP MPs on Tuesday that the COVID-19 pandemic was a humanitarian crisis and not a political one.

He was addressing a meeting of the BJP’s parliamentary party on the second day of the monsoon session of Parliament.

Monday was washed out due to protests by the Opposition and Mr. Modi was not able to introduce his newly sworn-in Ministers to both Houses of Parliament.

Referring to the Opposition protests and attacks on his government’s working on various issues, Mr. Modi said the Congress wasn’t reconciled to being “out of power” and that despite its footprint shrinking and electoral defeat in States like Assam, Kerala and Bengal it was more “concerned” about the BJP rather than saving its own support among people.

He asked the party MPs to effectively counter the allegations of the Opposition, especially about COVID-19 response and availability of vaccination.

Briefing the media after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said Mr. Modi expressed concern at the attitude of the Opposition, “especially the Congress”, which “still believes” that it had the right to be in power.

‘Irresponsible attitude’

“Prime Minister Modi also told the BJP MPs that the government was willing to discuss anything in both Houses of Parliament but the Opposition was showing a most irresponsible attitude,” said Mr. Joshi.

The Prime Minister, sources said, also expressed concern that nearly 20% of front line workers had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 despite their availability.

Sources present at the meeting stated that Mr. Modi urged the party MPs to ensure boots on the ground when it came to preparations for a possible third wave of the pandemic.

The lack of anticipation and medical resources during the second wave, causing high death rates, saw the government coming under fire from all quarters.