BJP slammed for 'free' vaccine promise in Bihar

October 22, 2020 19:03

The Bharatiya Janata Party landed in a soup after promising "free" coronavirus vaccines in its election manifesto for Bihar on Thursday.

Facing criticism for "using" pandemic as a "political opportunity", the party was criticised across social media and by several political parties and leaders.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, Aam Aadmi Party appeared "shocked and appalled" at BJP's announcement.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday released the BJP manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls which promised free COVID-19 vaccine once it has been cleared by the ICMR.

Rahul took a jibe at BJP, saying that now India's Covid access strategy will depend upon state-wise election schedule.

"GOI just announced India's Covid access strategy. Kindly refer to the state-wise election schedule to know when you will get it, along with a hoard of false promises (sic)," Gandhi said on Twitter.

Taking pot shots at the BJP, Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak said, "Even (PM Narendra) Modi ji does not know when the corona Vaccine will come... And, Nirmala Sitharaman has started distributing it for free."

Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also took a dig at the saffron party, saying that while the vaccine is yet to come, it has already become a part of poll rhetoric by the BJP.

"The vaccine is yet to come, but it has already become a part of poll 'jumlas' (rhetoric). Is the central government's responsibility not equal towards people of all states?"

"Is the promise of a free COVID vaccine the same as the Rs 1.25 lakh crore package promised to the state in 2015," she said on Twitter.

"Appalling cynicism", tweeted Tharoor and asked the election commissioner to take action against the party.

"Blatant populism that shamefully exploits Covid fear," Abdullah tweeted as he retweeted a video of Sitharaman releasing the manifesto.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

PBKS not out of play-off race yet: Harshal

The pacer praised Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh for helping PBKS recovering in the second inning after losing two quick wickets.

In Pictures - Narine fires KKR past LSG and to the top of IPL

Images from Sunday's IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants, in Lucknow.

Campaigning ends for third phase, high stakes for BJP

The stakes are significant for the BJP in this round as the party had in 2019 won an overwhelming majority of these seats, including all in Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, that will go to polls on May 7.

In Pictures - Liverpool back on track with win over Spurs

A summary of Sunday's action in the Premier League.

Kangana's gaffe, slams 'Tejasvi Surya' in poll speech

Addressing a gathering in the Sundernagar area of Himachal Pradesh's Mandi on Friday, Ranaut -- the BJP candidate from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat -- while referring to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), said the...