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    BJP Manifesto triggers free vaccine politics, opposition cries foul

    Synopsis

    Congress MP Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to attack the government. “Government of India just announced India’s Covid access strategy. Kindly refer to the state-wise election schedule to know when will you get it, along with a hoard of false promises,” he said.

    Rahul Gandhi PTIPTI
    New Delhi: The Centre found itself in a tight corner on Thursday after BJP’s Bihar election manifesto promised free Covid vaccine to every resident of the state. Though the health ministry clarified that free vaccine would be for everyone, political criticism piled up against the government.

    BJP’s Bihar manifesto triggered vaccine politics as the party promised free Corona vaccine to all residents of Bihar. Though the major thrust of the manifesto was Atma Nirbhar Bihar (self reliant Bihar) and 11 promises, the fourth promise of free vaccination after approval of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) took centrestage. The announcement drew fire from the entire Opposition. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to attack the government. “Government of India just announced India’s Covid access strategy. Kindly refer to the state-wise election schedule to know when will you get it, along with a hoard of false promises,” he said.

    Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) asked, “What about non-BJP ruled states? Indians who did not vote BJP will not get free Covid vaccine?” National Conference leader Omar Abdullah called it blatant populism. "Will BJP be paying for these vaccines from the party treasury? If it is coming from the government treasury then how can Bihar get free vaccines while the rest of the country has to pay? There is so much wrong with this blatant populism that shamefully exploits COVID fears," the former J&K chief minister tweeted.

    Minister of state (health) Ashwini Chaubey later clarified that free vaccine would be for all Indians. When asked about this at the manifesto release press conference, Chaubey said, “The corona vaccine is being made across the world. When it is ready, we have prepared an elaborate plan on distributing the vaccine, who will be given preference etc... Every state will be given free coronavirus vaccine.”

    In a related development, Tamil Nadu chief minister K.Palaniswami on Thursday said once the Covid-19 vaccine is ready, it will be administered to people free of cost. Speaking in Pudukottai, Palaniswami said that the cost of administering the vaccine to all in the state will be borne by the state government.


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