While the country is struggling with over 2 lakh COVID cases per day and is in its worst form ever in terms of healthcare, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen on Saturday campaigning in Bengal for BJP to win in the upcoming elections.
His speech gained him a lot of criticism from people across the country as he praised the presence of the large crowd for his rally in Asansol. Most of these spectators weren’t wearing a mask.
India, which is currently dealing with 16.8 lakh active cases all of a sudden, witnessed its most pivotal leader saying, “I have come here twice during Lok Sabha elections. Last time I came to seek votes for Babulji (Union Minister Babul Supriyo, who is the Asansol MP). The first time I came for myself. But the crowd was only a quarter of this size,” while adding, “but today, in all directions I see huge crowds of people… have witnessed such a rally for the first time.” The PM also urged everyone to punch in their votes and drag others along to do the same on April 26th without mentioning the negative impact it can have on the COVID front. “Today, you have shown your power. The next step is more important – go and vote and take others also,” Narendra Modi said.
ALSO READ:-BJP Promises “Sonar Bangla” In West Bengal Elections Manifesto
Despite strong criticism from the opposition parties over the prime minister’s participation in road shows and rallies during the most horrific second wave of the coronavirus, PM Modi continued to campaign for the 7th of the 8 phases of the Bengal Assembly election to remove Mamata Banerjee from power.
Taking a dig at his actions and other politicians giving a deaf ear to the COVID numbers, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted on Twitter saying, “This is also the first time when such huge crowds of sick people and record number of deaths have been seen,” when roughly translated from Hindu.
Maharashtra, the state on bitter terms with the Centre right now, has been vocal about the shortage of vaccines to inoculate mass population. According to sources, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray couldn’t speak to PM Modi on Saturday regarding the supply of oxygen as he was busy in Bengal. Hence, the CM was instead made to speak with Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan.
In an apparent criticism of the Prime Minister and his constant campaigning rallies, the Congress posted a 2 and a half minute long video on Twitter comparing his actions with Emperor Nero for “prioritising the road shows during a pandemic like the King fiddling when Rome burned”.
They captioned the video saying, “The fact is, to Star Campaigner Narendra Modi, Indians are nothing more than the votes they can give him.”
Rallies of the BJP, Trinamool and Congress continued to witness large crowds with social distancing gone for a toss. As more aggressive and deadlier variants of the virus have cemented its foot in the country, experts warn against the zero attempts by people and the government to control the growing numbers.
In another incident of the similar kind, the Prime Minister this morning told devotees at the Kumbh in Haridwar taking a dip at the Ganga waters to continue their acts in a “symbolic” manner. His words have garnered major backlash and warnings of a “super spreader” event.
The campaigns held by the BJP and Trinamool Congress showed people in thousands, if not lakhs, standing right next to each other without wearing masks. While cops were present at the venues, there is only little they are left to do with given the volatile situation.
The Election Commission constantly kept stressing on the social distancing norms and other precautions to be taken to all political parties before organising a rally.
