Why Sudden Covid Protocols, Could've Issued Advisory: Oppn Slams Centre Over Letter To Rahul Gandhi

The opposition questioned the government over the sudden implementation of Covid-19 protocols.

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 21 Dec 2022 01:16 PM (IST)

Source : PTI/ ANI Twitter

The Opposition has come heavily on the Central government for its letter to Rahul Gandhi asking him to postpone the Bharat Jodo Yatra if it is not possible for him to follow Covid-19 protocols.

TMC MP Dola Sen said that the Centre could have issued an advisory but no circular came advising masks or any other preventive measure. She added that it is not the sole duty of the Union government to boss over state governments.

"They could've issued advisory. We're at Parliament but no circular came for wearing masks or taking preventive measures. Not the sole duty of the Centre to boss over state governments. Their responsibility is towards public in which they fail, we don't expect much from them," she told the news agency ANI.

They could've issued advisory. We're at Parliament but no circular came for wearing masks or taking preventive measures. Not the sole duty of Centre to boss over state govts. Their responsibility is towards public in which they fail,we don't expect much from them: TMC MP Dola Sen pic.twitter.com/ASASHXynE1
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2022

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot took to Twitter to say that no Covid-19 protocol was followed in PM Modi's Tripura rally two days back. He said that BJP and the Modi government are worried after seeing the crowd in Bharat Jodo Yatra.

अगर केन्द्रीय स्वास्थ्य मंत्री का उद्देश्य राजनीतिक ना होकर उनकी चिंता जायज है तो उन्हें सबसे पहला पत्र प्रधानमंत्री को लिखना चाहिए था।
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) December 21, 2022

Reacting to the letter, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked if PM Modi followed Covid protocols during the election campaign of Gujarat elections.

"I want to ask BJP, did PM Modi follow Covid protocols during Gujarat Polls? I think Mansukh Mandaviya is not liking Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra but people are liking it & joining it. Mandaviya has been deputed to divert public's attention," he said.

#BREAKING | स्वास्थ्य मंत्री की चिट्ठी पर कांग्रेस का पलटवार

'भारत जोड़ो यात्रा' से डरी सरकार, चुनाव में पीएम मोदी ने मास्क लगाया?: अधीर रंजन @Sheerin_sherry | @prafulshri #COVID19 #Coronavirus #BharatJodoYatra #Congress #RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/seOL3x6sWA
— ABP News (@ABPNews) December 21, 2022

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram questioned the letter asking what COVID protocols are enforced in many public gatherings at present.

He said, "I haven't seen the letter but what are the COVID protocols today? We don't seem to be having any enforceable COVID protocols in any other public gatherings. Why this sudden attention to Bharat Jodo Yatra if not that it is rankling the BJP?"

I haven't seen the letter but what are the COVID protocols today? We don't seem to be having any enforceable COVID protocols in any other public gatherings. Why this sudden attention to Bharat Jodo Yatra if not that it is rankling the BJP?: Congress MP Karti Chidambaram https://t.co/uRlryoyV65 pic.twitter.com/bZxe95WSvN
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2022

The development comes after Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya wrote a letter to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi asking to ensure that Covid-10 guidelines are followed in the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra. The minister suggested postponing the Yatra if it is not possible to follow the Covid-19 protocols.

In the letter, the Union Health Minister also requests that if following COVID protocol is not possible then the Bharat Jodo Yatra be postponed in national interest, taking note of public health emergency. pic.twitter.com/zjFi6fhHer
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2022

Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from Haryana on Wednesday. It is scheduled to reach Delhi on December 28.