The Congress on Saturday accused the Centre of selectively targeting the Bharat Jodo Yatra after the Union Health Ministry sent a letter to party leader Rahul Gandhi, urging him to suspend the yatra amid a fresh Covid-19 scare.
The Congress questioned the BJP about its yatras in Karnataka and Rajasthan, and asked if Union Health Minister Mandaviya had sent letters to its organisers also.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, All India Congress Committee general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh said: “The Union Health Minister writes to Rahul Gandhi on the basis of a letter sent by a BJP MP from Rajasthan, who alleges that Bharat Jodo Yatra has not been following Covid protocols. The MP's letter was sent following the enormous success of Bharat Jodo Yatra in his state.”
He pointed out that the Parliament session has been happening, and masks are not mandatory anywhere. “There has been no advisory from Centre to states of late except the one issued yesterday on genome sequencing,” he stated. Taking a dig at the BJP, Ramesh said that in March 2020, the Modi government delayed the lockdown “by at least a week to enable the toppling of the Congress govt in MP.”
Public health is far too serious an issue on which to play party politics, Ramesh said, adding that if there is a protocol for gatherings, the Congress will abide by it.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Haryana from Rajasthan on Wednesday. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also called out the BJP's 'double standards and said the yatra was being targetted because of its growing popularity. Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera also asked the government to announce Covid protocols and said the party would follow them.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also took a dig at the Centre for raising an alarm when the Bharat Jodo Yatra of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was gaining momentum. The JD(U) leader dumped the BJP four months ago to join the 'Mahagathbandhan', which includes the Congress.
In the wake of the sudden spurt of Covid-19 cases in many countries, especially China and the US, Mandaviya on Wednesday reviewed the Covid-19 situation in the country and directed officials to be alert and strengthen surveillance.