Mamata demands universal COVID vaccine programme; says never supports violence

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded a universal vaccine programme for all and asserted that Rs 30,000 crore for vaccination is nothing for the Central government. She alleged that BJP is not ready to accept the public mandate following the debacle in the Assembly election and asked why there is so much discrimination with the state.

Kolkata (West Bengal): Launching a fresh attack on the BJP-led Central government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded a universal vaccine programme for all and asserted that Rs 30,000 crore for vaccination is nothing for the Central government.

"Rs 30,000 crore is nothing for the Central government... There should be a universal vaccine program for all throughout the country," Banerjee said while addressing the state Assembly on Saturday. The Chief Minister had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting free COVID vaccination for all citizens.

Mamata also questioned the Prime Minister regarding the PM care fund and said: "Why are they (BJP) not allotting Rs 30,000 crores for vaccines when they are making new Parliament and statues, spending Rs 20,000. Where is the PM CARES Fund?" She, at the Assembly today further took a dig at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for spending so much amount during the state polls in West Bengal.

"BJP has booked so many hotels for its leaders, Ministers from Centre and other states. There was a conspiracy, all ministers landed here. I don't know how many crores they spent on planes and hotels. Money was flowing like water here. If they gave vaccine instead of it, would have been better for the state," the Chief Minister also said. She also said that she had written to the Centre earlier as well and asked them to allow the state to purchase the vaccine but they did not allow it. Now the state is facing a crisis of oxygen gas, she added. Appreciating Trinamool Congress leaders, Banerjee said youths of the state have voted for TMC. "It is a new morning for a party," she said.

"Despite the fact that there is no vaccine and no Oxygen in the state, we received a mandate now we have to work for the people of West Bengal battling with coronavirus disease," the Chief Minister added.

Mamata Banerjee accuses BJP of not accepting public mandate, says 'I never support violence'

She alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not ready to accept the public mandate following the debacle in the Assembly election and asked why there is so much discrimination with the state.

"Why is there so much discrimination with Bengal? They sent the central team within 24 hours of oath-taking. Actually, they (BJP) are not ready to accept the public mandate. I never support violence. They are spreading fake news and fake videos," Banerjee said at the state Assembly.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo also said that the party could win because of the women in Bengal. "TMC has been elected back in power in a landslide mandate. It is a miracle and historic. This was because of the people of Bengal and the women in Bengal," she said "Election Commission needs immediate reforms. Bengal has a spine and it never bows. There was a conspiracy, all central ministers landed here. I don't know how many crores they spent on planes and hotels. Money was flowing like water here," she added.

West Bengal witnessed a fierce contest between the ruling TMC and BJP across eight phases. TMC won 213 seats in the just concluded state assembly elections. BJP, on the other hand, garnered 77 seats in the 294-seat state assembly. Elections for two seats in Murshidabad are postponed due to the demise of candidates due to COVID-19.

(ANI)