Modi government has mismanaged situation, says Sonia Gandhi in COVID meet

NEW DELHI: Amid the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday hit out at the centre and said it has "mismanaged the situation", exported vaccine and allowed a shortage to be created in India.

She also stressed on transparency in the Congress and opposition ruled states to reveal the actual numbers of infections and deaths and focus on India's vaccination drive.

Her remarks came during a meeting of Congress ruled states and party's ministers from alliance states to review the efforts to fight Covid-19 including availability of vaccines, access to medicines and ventilators. Former party chief Rahul Gandhi also attended the meet.

Sonia Gandhi said, "COVID is surging and as the principal opposition party, it is our responsibility to raise issues and push the government to move away from PR tactics and act in the interest of the people."

India on Saturday recorded over 1.45 lakh fresh COVID cases and 794 deaths in the last 24 hours. Several states have red flagged the government over the shortage of the COVID-19 vaccines. "Therefore, there must be transparency - governments must reveal the actual numbers of infections and deaths across states, whether Congress ruled or otherwise," she said.

Highlighting the lack of COVID vaccines in several states, the Congress leader said, "We must focus on India's vaccination drive first and foremost. Then only export vaccines and gift them to other countries. We must stress on responsible behaviour - adhering to all laws and COVID regulations without exception."

She also emphasised on the cooperation with states respecting federalism and in turn, "for us to be constructive and cooperate with the government in its efforts to fight the pandemic is equally important". We are all united in this fight, she said. "The Modi government has mismanaged the situation - exported vaccine and allowed a shortage to be created in India," Sonia said. (IANS)

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