Modi govt has mismanaged the situation, exported vaccine and allowed shortage, says Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi slammed the centre for its vaccine management in a virtual meeting held today amid a rapid surge in covid 19 cases in the country.

"The Modi government has mismanaged the situation - exported vaccine and allowed a shortage to be created in India," Sonia said.

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

Highlighting the lack of Covid vaccines in several states, she said that must prioritise domestic needs before donating vaccines ."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."

"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," she added.

She also emphasised upon the importance of transparency in tracking the actual numbers of infections and deaths to ensure that the pandemic doesn't go out of control.

"Therefore, there must be transparency - governments must reveal the actual numbers of infections and deaths across states, whether Congress-ruled or otherwise," she said.

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.

Commenting on the large public gatherings during the assembly polls Sonia Gandhi said, "Mass gatherings for elections and religious events have accelerated Covid for which all of us are responsible to some extent. We need to accept this responsibility and keep the interest of the nation above our own."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.

She directed the Congress-ruled states' chief ministers to take strict measures to ensure that the pandemic doesn't go out of control and ensure testing at a large scale, preparation of adequate facilities, setting up temporary ones

She also asked the Congress-ruled and Congress alliance ruled states about the various packages that had been announced by the central government to help MSMEs and stimulate the economy.

"What impact have these packages had and what more should the government be doing to deal with the continuing crisis? Do you see economic recovery happening in the manner that is being officially claimed?" she added.

On Friday, Rahul Gandhi had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to place an immediate moratorium on the export of vaccines, fast track approval of other vaccines and open up vaccination to everyone who needs it.

India on Saturday recorded over 1.45 lakh fresh Covid cases and 794 death"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."s in the last 24 hours. Several states have red-flagged the government over the shortage of the Covid-19 vaccines

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