Centre has let the situation slip from bad to worse, says Chidambaram

Poor handling led to chaos, he claims

P. Chidambaram

Blaming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre for its poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, senior Congress leader and M.P. P. Chidambaram on Saturday said the situation had slipped from bad to worse in many States.

Speaking to reporters here, he said that the Congress had cautioned and suggested to the Centre the need for taking up certain measures on a war-footing. “Our leader Sonia Gandhi had written six times to the Prime Minister in this regard... Our former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had recently written to him on tackling the pandemic.”

However, it was unfortunate that the Prime Minister had not even bothered to discuss or take up the suggestions in an earnest manner, he said.

Clarifying that this was not the time for politics, the senior leader said the country had to join hands in saving lives. At a time when people looked for help, the Congress was ready to serve them in any manner.

To a query on the Sterlite Copper plant seeking permission to produce oxygen, Mr. Chidambaram said when the Supreme Court had given a direction, there need not be a discussion.

“Oxygen is required to save the people suffering in many hospitals admitted in COVID-19 wards. Hence, it is the duty of the government to ensure oxygen is in place...” he said. The Centre’s attitude in this hour of medical emergency should change, he added.

At a time, when the people were worried over the pandemic, the Centre announced a “vaccine festival”. What was the need to celebrate the pandemic, he asked. The government had announced to inoculate vaccine shots for all above 18 years from May 1. It has not happened. There is no planning. The people, who needed support, were in the dark as to what the government was doing, he charged.

As if the COVID-19 pandemic had been distanced and defeated, the BJP, in its national council meeting held on February 21, in a resolution hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the title “Vishwa Guru”.

On exit polls, Mr. Chidambaram said the predictions in Tamil Nadu showed the mood of the voters.