Shortly after the Congress’ attack, the Modi Government on Thursday retaliated with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar accusing the Opposition party of indulging in “petty politics” at a time of crisis and when the PM’s efforts are being lauded globally.
Shah said while the world is lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and bold decisions in containing the spread of virus, the opposition leaders are busy flaying their own government. “Under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s efforts to fight Coronavirus are being lauded domestically and globally. 130 crore Indians are united to defeat COVID-19. Yet, Congress is playing petty politics. High time they think of national interest and stop misleading people,” the Home Minister tweeted.
Shah’s remark comes in the wake of the Congress criticising the Modi government for not effectively fighting the Covid-19 menace.
At the Congress Working Committee meeting today, top Congress leaders discussed the situation arising out of the coronavirus outbreak and criticised the Centre for unplanned implementation of the lockdown. Party chief Sonia Gandhi said that the unplanned lockdown has caused chaos and pain to millions of migrant workers.
For his part, Javadekar termed Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s criticism of the Centre as “unfortunate” and an unnecessary politicisation of the crisis. Javadekar said the Prime Minister is taking everyone along in his handling of the situation, and his measures, including the nationwide lockdown, have “received” praise from the world in an apparent reference to World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praising Modi for his efforts to help poor amid the lockdown.