Ministers join troll army in fear of losing their portfolios: Congress

A war of words broke out between BJP and Congress after Rahul Gandhi targeted the government over the shortage of Covid-19 vaccines. While BJP ministers lashed out at Gandhi, Congress took a jibe at the ministers saying that they have joined the 'troll army'.

New Delhi: A war of words broke out between BJP and Congress have erupted after the latter's MP Rahul Gandhi targeted the government over the shortage of Covid-19 vaccines. While BJP lashed out at Gandhi, Congress took a jibe at the ministers saying that they have joined the "troll army". This started when Gandhi tweeted one line, on Wednesday, "July has come, the vaccine has not arrived." On this, a number of BJP ministers accused him of "arrogance and ignorance".

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, replied to Gandhi's tweet, saying, "Just yesterday, I put out facts on vaccine availability for the month of July. What is Rahul Gandhiji's problem? Does he not read? Does he not understand? There is no vaccine for the virus of arrogance and ignorance!! Congress must think of a leadership overhaul!"

Taking a jibe at Harsh Vardhan, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said, "It looks like an imminent cabinet expansion is somewhere around the corner. Most of these ministers are way too scared of losing their portfolios. So the best thing to do is join the overarching portfolio of troll ministry."

Union Minister Piyush Goyal also attacked Rahul Gandhi, mentioning that 12 crore vaccine doses will be available in the month of July, that too apart from the supply of private hospitals. He said, "Rahul Gandhi should understand that instead of seriousness in the fight against COVID-19, the display of petty politics is not appropriate at this time."

Meanwhile, Union State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ashwini Kumar Choubey called this act of Rahul Gandhi "embarrassing", alleging him of spreading rumours regarding the vaccination. To this, Supriya Shrinate replied, "I think all these ministers have forgotten what is their own portfolio. They perhaps don't remember that there are departments that they need to cater to. Because it seems that the big overarching ministries in the Modi government is that of a troll ministry."

She added, "Some of the respected ministers sound like petty Rs 2 trolls. The reality is that we are going through an unprecedented pandemic, vaccination is our best bet, and you (government) are bungled up completely as far as vaccination is concerned. And you have the audacity to come out and question somebody who is raising valid questions?"

Alleging that the government achieved the mark of 87 lakh figure in vaccination because BJP governed states "hoarded up" on vaccines. She asserted, "Please ask these ministers who are tweeting from their AC chambers and acting like Rs 2 petty trolls, to go to rural areas and see how bad vaccination is. So the government does not just need to answer the acute shortage of vaccines but it now needs to answer questions that we are raising today. These are serious questions on corporate governance and profiteering from public investments and fund diversion."