NEW DELHI: The BJP’s promise of providing free COVID-19 vaccination for the people of Bihar in its election manifesto attracted widespread criticism on Thursday with the Opposition parties asking whether non-BJP ruled states will get the free vaccine.
They have also demanded action by the Election Commission, while alleging that the ruling party was using the pandemic for political gains.
In the manifesto released by Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the party said: “The NDA government in Bihar has set an example in the fight against novel Coronavirus. It is our promise that when a vaccine for COVID is available after clearance from ICMR, every Bihar resident will be given free vaccination.”
Reacting sharply, the Opposition said the promise of a vaccine in an election manifesto shows BJP’s “desperation” and asked whether “Indians who didn’t vote BJP will not get free Covid vaccine?”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the BJP, saying one has to refer to the state-wise election schedule to know when one will have access to the vaccine.
The Opposition attack forced the BJP to explain that health is a state subject and its manifesto is for Bihar, not for the entire country, where it has promised that the state will buy the vaccine for its people.
This story is from the October 23 2020 edition of Millennium Post Delhi.
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This story is from the October 23 2020 edition of Millennium Post Delhi.
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