Congress hits out at Harsh Vardhan over his reply to Manmohan Singh's letter

Congress party hit out at Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan over his reply to Manmohan Singh's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The grand old party also termed Vardhan as a "failed minister" for taking the constructive suggestions in a "bad taste."

New Delhi: The Congress slammed Union Health Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, over his response to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s letter to the Prime Minister.

The party also termed Vardhan as a "failed minister" for taking the constructive suggestions in a "bad taste."

While addressing a press conference, Maharashtra cabinet minister Ashok Chavan attacked Vardhan, saying, "Dr. Manmohan Singh tried to give some positive suggestions to the Government of India. What's wrong with it? The former PM, who has vast experience in administrative management, gave suggestions to tackle this crisis. We had expected that these constructive suggestions will be taken in a good sense. Instead of the Prime Minister replying to the letter, a failed minister has responded to him and that too in a very bad taste."

He further added, "It is very unfortunate that a political angle is being given to this letter by a minister who has completely failed in tackling the pandemic. I believe that he should apologize immediately and leave this matter to the Prime Minister of India."

On Sunday, Dr. Manmohan Singh had sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, listing a series of suggestions to handle the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country.

However, Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan chose to reply to Singh, saying that history would be kinder to him if only his own party, Congress, had followed his advice which he mentioned in his letter.

In his 5 point suggestions, Dr. Manmohan Singh had asserted that the country is facing an "unprecedented emergency" and therefore the government should publicize what are the firm orders for doses placed on different vaccine producers and accepted for delivery over the next 6 months.

In his reply, the Union Minister stated, "It is saddening, Dr. Singh, that while you very well understand the importance of vaccinations as an important method of fighting the COVID-19 battle, people in responsible positions in your party, as well as the state governments formed by your party, do not seem to share your view."

To this, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate questioned Vardhan, saying, "I can also turn around and ask Dr Harsh Vardhan, who is also a medical professional, that what was your vaccine plan? Because Serum institute says it does not have Rs 3,000 crore to ramp up its production. You need more production from there. You cannot ramp it up also because the Government of India is the sole buyer as far as domestic use is concerned. So, the government completely bungled up on its vaccine management."

She further stated, "The government has put all its eggs on one basket by relying only on 2 vaccines. We should have allowed many more vaccines. Why are we setting trials for vaccines that are being used by many other countries? So the reality is that the central government is trying to mask its own incompetence and vaccine mismanagement in the country.

She further added, "Dr. Harsh Vardhan deserves my contempt and I feel sorry for him that he has to stoop so low despite being a medical professional."