In an apparent indication of converting the magnificent electoral victory in Bengal into a launch-pad for her national ambitions in Delhi, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday asked the Centre to come out with a transparent pandemic policy for “the entire country and all the States.”
Mamata, who swore in for the third consecutive time, shot off an “assertive” letter to the Prime Minister wondering why there was no transparent policy on vaccination and distribution of oxygen.
If she completes her third terms she will be the second Chief Minister to do so after Jyoti Basu of the CPI(M) who ruled the State for about 24 years. Apart from Basu and Banerjee two other Chief Ministers who had two successive stints were Bidhan Roy the first Chief Minister and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.
Armed with an emphatic two-thirds majority in the just concluded Assembly elections Banerjee said that “we demanded 3 crore vaccines but they are sending only 1.5 lakh which is peanuts… it seems as if they are giving us alms to beggars.”
She said quoting the letter, “In the letter we demanded free vaccine for all … The main issue which we highlighted in the letter … that there is no transparency in the policy for oxygen , medicines and vaccines. Oxygen from our State is being taken away and we are not getting enough
vaccines.”
Banerjee had earlier complained against the Centre’s alleged discriminatory policies policy regarding corona control narrating how “the BJP ruled States are getting more oxygen and vaccines while others are being neglected … in Gujarat vaccines are being distributed from BJP party offices.”
The Wednesday’s letter looked like a formal reflection of her earlier allegations when she wrote “at the very outset, I would again like to emphasise free vaccination for all. You may kindly recall my letter on 24th February 2021, wherein I had requested you to allow the government of West Bengal to allow procurement of vaccine from designated points for providing vaccination for the people of the state free of cost. This has not been addressed.”
Taking up the cudgel for other States too she said “all states should be treated equally and their needs should be addressed” in an equitable manner.
Soon after assuming charge for the third term the Chief Minister issued a “stern warning” for the violence mongers asking “no one will be spared … I have asked the SPs and DMs to spare none who indulges in violence.”
She alleged that a lot of fake videos were being transmitted by some people and that violence was taking place only in areas where the BJP had won, leading the opposition parties to allege that “she has once again resorted to partisan politics.”
Banerjee who reshuffled the top police brass reinstating DGP Virendra, and ADG (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim (These officers had been transferred by the Election Commission) to their old posts however said that her Government would act impartially without seeing political colours.
She was speaking on the continuing post-poll violence in the State that has seen at least 17 people lose their lives the past 36 hours. Earlier during the swearing-in ceremony at the Raj Bhavan the Chief Minister was curtly reminded by the Governor to ensure peace.