'Understand The Chronology': Congress Links PM Modi's Covid Meet To Bharat Jodo Yatra

Congress said that the Modi govt "suddenly agreed" to postpone Parliament sine die on Friday in order for its use of Covid to "defame and derail" Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra to gain legitimacy.

Congress Leader Jairam Ramesh.

Source : PTI

"Understand the chronology," the Congress stated on Thursday, noting that the health minister has written to party leader Rahul Gandhi about COVID-19 worries, and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is examining the virus situation only days before the "Bharat Jodo Yatra" arrives in Delhi.

The opposition party said that the Modi administration "suddenly agreed" to postpone Parliament sine die on Friday in order for its use of Covid to "defame and derail" Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra to gain legitimacy.

The attack by the Congress occurred on the same day that the prime minister had a high-level conference to examine the country's Covid issue.

Taking to Twitter, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said: "4 cases of Omicron sub-variant driving Chinese surge were reported in Gujarat and Odisha in July, September and November."

4 cases of Omicron sub-variant BF.7 driving Chinese surge were reported in Gujarat & Odisha in July, Sept & Nov. Health Minister writes a letter to @RahulGandhi yesterday. PM is reviewing situation today. #BharatJodoYatra will enter Delhi day after. Ab Aap Chronology Samjhiye…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 22, 2022

"Health Minister writes a letter to Rahul Gandhi yesterday. PM is reviewing situation today. Bharat Jodo Yatra will enter Delhi day after. Ab Aap Chronology Samjhiye.... (now, understand the chronology)," he said.

In a second tweet, Ramesh stated that Parliament will adjourn sine die on Friday, noting that this was a long-standing desire of opposition parties because there were not many measures to be carried during the winter session.

"Modi government which never listens, suddenly agreed so that its use of Covid-19 to defame and derail Bharat Jodo Yatra acquires a shade of respectability," he alleged.

"Now, will the Modi govt make masks and sanitisers compulsory, curtail international flights and ban public gatherings? The Bharat Jodo Yatra will abide by a science-based and medical evidence-based protocol," Ramesh asserted.

Now, will the Modi govt make masks & sanitisers compulsory, curtail international flights and ban public gatherings? The #BharatJodoYatra will abide by a science-based and medical evidence-based protocol. 2/2

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 22, 2022

The Congress accused the government on Wednesday of selectively targeting the Bharat Jodo Yatra over Covid concerns, pointing out that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was organising marches in Karnataka and Rajasthan, and asserting that public health is far too serious an issue to play party politics on.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has asked Gandhi to consider stopping the Bharat Jodo Yatra if Covid procedures are not followed, citing concerns expressed by three BJP MPs over the spread of the coronavirus.

On Wednesday, the Bharat Jodo Yatra crossed into Haryana from Rajasthan.

The Congress-led yatra began in Kanyakumari on September 7 and has since travelled across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

(With PTI Inputs)