As vaccination drive against the COVID-19 began across poll-bound West Bengal on January 16, 2021, a war of words between political parties in the state has also started.
The ruling Trinamool Congress accused the Centre of not sending the required amount of vaccines to the state. While the BJP has accused the Trinamool had stolen vaccine doses for its members. West Bengal is going to the polls in less than three months from now.
According to reports, several TMC leaders, including two MLAs, were among the first few people who received the COVID-19 vaccine in West Bengal’s Purba Bardhaman district in the first round of vaccination programme on Saturday, while many healthcare workers alleged that they were asked to come for the vaccine jab but could not receive it.
The vaccination drive at the Bhatar State General Hospital began with local TMC MLA Subhash Mondal getting the first shot. Later, former TMC MLA Banamali Hazra, Zilla Parisha Karmadakshya Jahar Bagdi and Bhatar Panchayat Samity Public Health in-charge Mahendra Hazra also received the vaccine.
Earlier, both the parties had locked horn over the free vaccine distributed credit. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that the West Bengal government is making arrangements to provide free COVID vaccines to all the people of the state.
In an open letter, Banerjee said the COVID warriors, including police, home guards, civil defence volunteers, correctional home and disaster management employees, will be administered the vaccine on a priority basis.
The BJP hit back, saying that the chief minister was making bogus claims. “Pishi (aunt) was a disaster when it came to managing Covid. From doctors to policemen, everyone protested against Chief Minister’s apathy. But now that the center has announced free priority vaccination for 3 crore frontline workers across the country, Pishi is rushing to take credit,” Amit Malviya, head of BJP’s IT cell, tweeted on Sunday.
Pishi was a disaster when it came to managing Covid. From doctors to policemen, everyone protested against Chief Minister’s apathy.
But now that the center has announced free priority vaccination for 3 crore frontline workers across the country, Pishi is rushing to take credit. pic.twitter.com/TMRBXan2XN
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 10, 2021