'No Community Transmission In Delhi, Sisodia's Claim Of 5.5 Lakh Cases Led To Fear Among People': Amit Shah

Shah said there was no community transmission of the novel coronavirus in Delhi, and said he differed with Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia on the projection of cases in the national capital by month end.

Image: ANI

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday spoke at length on the number of issues India is currently faced with. In an extensive interview with ANI, Shah touched  the topics of Coronavirus pandemic, the India-China border dispute and also gave a reply to the opposition which isn’t leaving out any  front to attack the government. Also Read | 'Befitting Reply Has Been Given To Those Coveting Our Territories': PM Modi In Mann Ki Baat No threat of community transmission in Delhi: Shah Shah said there was no community transmission of the novel coronavirus in Delhi, and said he differed with Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia on the projection of cases in the national capital by month end. He said that remarks made by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in early June about the national capital reaching 5.5 lakh Covid-19 cases by the end of July had created "fear" among people and he expressed confidence that the stage will not be reached. He asserted that a series of steps had been taken to contain the virus and multi-agency meetings had been held to improve coordination at various levels. Difference between state and centre on community transmission: When asked about the difference of opinion between the Centre and Delhi Government on announcing whether ‘Community Spread’ of the Coronavirus had begun in Delhi, Shah said that Delhi had not reached that state yet and if and when that stage would come, the Central government would not hesitate in making the announcement. Sisodia’s statement about 5.5 lakh cases by July end: Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia had said earlier that by July 31 there will be 5.5 lakh cases of Covid-19 in Delhi. "Till June 15, there will be 44,000 COVID-19 cases and we would need 6,600 beds. We would hit one lakh cases and would require 15,000 beds by June 30. There will be around 2.25 lakh cases till July 15 and COVID-19 cases will reach around 5.5 lakh by July 31," Sisodia had said. Shah’s take: Sisodia’s statement that there ‘will be no place left, no beds left and the situation will be difficult,’ created a lot of fear in the minds of people in Delhi. His estimate was based on figures. I do not want to go into whether estimate was right or wrong. But a situation of fear arose and some people started mulling an exodus (out of Delhi), said Home Minister. "I can say now with confidence that situation of 5.5 lakh cases will not come on July 31," he added. On Delhi’s previous decision of reserving hospitals for Delhiites: Shah said that the decision was reversed. He said even he is from outside Delhi and asked where would he go if something happens to him. He asserted that Delhi is the capital of India and eople from many states reside in Delhi. Tests are on rise in Delhi: Home Minister The home minister said “I do not want to hide anything. I have spoken to the three most senior officials. The situation of community infection is not yet in Delhi. Now that the tests are increasing in Delhi, on average we can say that this is not the situation in Delhi. Also Watch: Amit Shah challenges Rahul Gandhi for a debate