New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday made a scathing attack on the central government over the management of the COVID-19 crisis, saying that the country is paying a "horrendous price" for the Modi government's neglect of the pandemic.
The remarks were made during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, which was called by Sonia Gandhi to discuss the party's performance in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
In her opening statement, Gandhi said, "We (CWC) last met on April 17th. In these past four weeks, the COVID-19 situation has become even more catastrophic. The governance failures have become even more disastrous. Scientific advice has been willfully ignored and the country is paying a horrendous price for the Modi government’s neglect of the pandemic, indeed its willful patronage of super-spreader events that were allowed for partisan gains."
She mentioned that some scientists have cautioned about a third wave overtaking India soon due to which many states have already announced a complete lockdown.
Attacking the central government, she said, "The public health system across the country has all but collapsed. Vaccination coverage is woefully short of need and not expanding at the rate at which it must. The Modi government has abdicated its responsibility. It has obliged the states to bear the cost of vaccinating the hundreds of millions in the 18 to 45 age group."
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She further asserted, "Every expert has said that it would have made more sense and it would have been financially more equitable for the Centre to bear the costs. But we know the Modi government has other priorities, pursuing grandiose projects against the force of public opinion and the face of widespread criticism."
She alleged that it is a "shame" that the central government continues to discriminate against Opposition-ruled states.
Gandhi reiterated that Congress has been repeatedly asking the central government to call an all-party meeting to demonstrate the national will and resolve.
The demand was made three days ago during the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting.
"I have said before and I would like to repeat it: The Indian National Congress stands prepared to work with the Union government in this most important and urgent of tasks," she added.
The Congress chief also thanked the international community who are helping India in different ways to tackle the COVID crisis.
