The BJP on Thursday released its manifesto for the upcoming Bihar elections, seeking to reach out to over 7.20 crore voters in the state with a promise of a free Covid-19 vaccine and an assurance of 19 lakh jobs over the next five years, if the ruling NDA is re-elected to power.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, after releasing the BJP manifesto, said, “As soon as a coronavirus 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.”
The Opposition was quick to respond. Attacking the BJP over its promise to give free Covid vaccination in Bihar, the RJD said the BJP was using the Covid-19 pandemic for politics and “selling the fear of death”.
On the fact that Sitharaman came to Bihar to release the BJP manifesto, the Opposition asked her why a special package was never announced for the state. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, “BJP doesn’t have a face for Bihar polls. Finance Minister had to come to release the vision document. Since she’s here, Sitharaman Ji should first tell why she never gave a special package and special state status to Bihar.”
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi also took a dig at the Centre and claimed that the government’s Covid vaccine distribution strategy was linked to poll schedule. “GoI just announced India’s Covid access strategy. Kindly refer to the state-wise election schedule to know when will you get it, along with a hoard of false promises,” Rahul Gandhi said.
Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Adami Party too questioned if the access to free Covid-19 vaccine was only for BJP voters. “What about non-BJP ruled states? Indians who didn’t vote BJP will not get free Covid vaccine?” the AAP’s official handle tweet.
Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJP’s national Information and Technology cell, later clarified. Malviya said that the Central government will provide vaccines to states at a nominal rate and it would be the state government’s decision if “they want to give it for free or otherwise”. It was the Bihar BJP which has decided to give coronavirus vaccine for free, he said.
FREE COVID VACCINE FOR ALL IN TN, MP
Hours after the BJP announced free vaccine for all in its Bihar manifesto, its ally in south AIADMK also announced the same measure. Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami, who is set to face first state elections as CM candidate next year, said that the vaccine will be distributed free of charge in his state. “Once Covid-19 vaccine is ready, it will be provided to all people of the state free of cost,” CM Palaniswami announced on Thursday.
Madhya Pradesh CM and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan too announced free vaccine for all in his state. “Dear countrymen, we have taken several effective steps to save the public from Covid-19. Today, it is completely under control. Corona vaccine preparation work is going on at a fast pace in India, as soon as the vaccine is ready, it will be made available to every citizen of Madhya Pradesh for free,” Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in a tweet.
WITH AGENCY INPUTS