Describing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s comment asking the Modi-Government to be “transparent” about its strategy to counter coronavirus post-May 17 and “devolve power” to States as “immature” and “ill-informed”, the BJP on Friday said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been taking suggestions from all the Chief Ministers and quoted Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee as praising the Centre’s direct money transfer to poor who may be facing problems during the ongoing lockdown in the country.
Seeking Rahul to act with "wisdom and practicality" and "fight the biggest calamity in human history under the able guidance" of Narendra Modi, BJP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Sudhanshu Trivedi said Government is working in “full harmony” with the States and Prime Minister has consulted representatives of almost all sectors in the country, including trade, business, art , sports or religion.
Trevedi said the best example of freedom accorded to states to act in the pandemic is that even before the announcement of the lockdown by the Centre on March 24 four states -Punjab, Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra- had declared lockdown in their respective States.
"Ever youthful Congress leader who is about to complete a half century now at least should have some wisdom and practicality", Trivedi said referring to Rahul’s comment on transparency and devolution of power to the states in respect of devising strategies in respect to the pandemic.
He said the Modi Government has been very much receptive to suggestions from the opposition but it should be constructive and added that it is very typical and characteristic of Gandhi to speak before media without studying facts.
The Government has already announced a relief package of Rs 1.7 lakh crore and has also ensured money in the hands of the poor through direct benefit transfer to help them tide over difficulties during the coronavirus crisis, he said, responding to Gandhi's demands of a special package and cash transfer to the poor. Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee has also praised the direct money transfer, he said.
In his recent talk with the Congress leader, Banerjee had noted that the issues facing migrants should be handled by local authorities, Trivedi said. He added "It's not time to create controversy directly or indirectly. Instead it is time for cooperation and he should try to fight the biggest calamity in the human history under the able guidance of our Modi."
BJP spokesman said India is the only country where there are attacks on health and security personnel for which the government had to bring an ordinance to tackle such crimes, he said, adding that there is an effort to “communalise” the issue, with international agencies being approached to criticise the central government. Trivedi was apparently referring to the allegations that right-wing activists have targeted Muslims for the spread of coronavirus. Congress, he said has no words to offer on this issue.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier said that the Government needs to tell the people about its strategy to open up the country as well as the economy after the Covid-19 lockdown ends on May 17.