Covid 19 updates: BJP offers free vaccine for Bihar if voted to power as total cases cross 77.1 lakh

BJP is facing major backlash over one point in its manifesto for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. BJP has promised “free covid vaccines” to all in Bihar if voted to power. However, the declaration has triggered a wide range of opposition from various leaders.

Senior BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman launched the sankalp patra. “As soon as a COVID-19 vaccine is available for production at a mass scale, every person in Bihar will get free vaccination. This is the first promise mentioned in our poll manifesto,” she said during the launch.

Former union minister and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor tweeted: “Tum mujhe vote do main tumhe vaccine (Give me votes, I will give you vaccine)… what appalling cynicism! Will the Election Commission rap her and her shameless government on the knuckles?”

Bihar BJP leader Bhupinder Yadav responded to Tharoor’s tweet and wrote, “Your attempt to twist Smt Nirmala Sitharaman’s statement reeks of desperation. All parties issue manifestos. Vaccines will be made available to all Indians at nominal costs. States can make it free. In #Bihar, we will.”

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah called it blatant populism. “Will BJP be paying for these vaccines from the party treasury? If it’s coming from the government treasury then how can Bihar get free vaccines while the rest of the country has to pay? There is so much wrong with this blatant populism that shamefully exploits COVID fears,” 

Responding to the criticism, Amit Malvya tweeted Thursday afternoon, “BJP’s manifesto promises free Covid vaccine. Like all programs, center will provide vaccines to states at a nominal rate. It is for the state Govts to decide if they want to give it free or otherwise. Health being a state subject, Bihar BJP has decided to give it free. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah called it blatant populism. “Will BJP be paying for these vaccines from the party treasury? If it’s coming from the government treasury then how can Bihar get free vaccines while the rest of the country has to pay? There is so much wrong with this blatant populism that shamefully exploits COVID fears,” Simple.”

While 55839 new covid cases were reported in last 24 hours, 79,415 covid 19 patients have also recovered in the same duration. The total covid 19 cases have crossed 77.1 lakh in India.

Meanwhile, the active cases currently stand at 7,15,812 in India. The country saw 702 covid 19 deaths in last one day.