SILIGURI/JALPAIGURI: Blaming
BJP and the Centre for the surge in
Covid cases in
Bengal, chief minister
Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said instead of providing the state adequate vaccines, BJP was bringing in “outsiders” for its poll campaigns that were responsible for the spread of the disease.
“We had brought it under control; all they had to do was to vaccinate enough people,” Banerjee said. Accusing the BJP leadership of “not coming for a single day” while the pandemic was raging last year, she said: “Now due to elections, they are coming with outsiders for campaigning and leaving.”
Speaking at several rallies in north Bengal on Wednesday, the CM said: “I have been telling them for long to provide us with Covid injections (vaccine). We will pay for it. You please help us provide the vaccines. We do not have it in adequate numbers. It is you, the Central government, who have mandated that you will provide vaccines (to the state). We will comply.”
“We have kept the funds ready (to even buy vaccines). So please provide us. But they are not giving us. The little we could arrange is being provided,” she added.
Banerjee was referring to her letters to the Centre, urging it to allow Bengal to buy adequate vaccines from suppliers identified by the Centre to roll out a mass vaccination programme on its own for its 10 crore population.
Attacking the Centre for lax handling of Covid situation, Banerjee said: “Covid has killed so many people in the last one year. Across the country, there has been almost a dance of death. You got an entire year (to work). (PM) Narendra Modi did nothing. (Union home minister) Amit Shah did nothing.”
“None of these leaders came to Bengal once during Covid,” she continued. “Now they are bringing in outsiders and increasing Covid (in Bengal) and leaving. They will flee and we will be left to face troubles.”
Cautioning people against Covid, the CM said: “We (Bengal government) are doing whatever we can. But I will urge you to remain safe. Covid cases are increasing across the country... All we must do is exercise caution. We must keep washing our hands and always wear a mask. You may ask why I have pulled down my mask. I always wear one, and will continue wearing one. But speaking for hours at a stretch with a mask on is difficult. I will immediately wear it.”
Attacking Shah’s speech at Lebong ground in Darjeeling on Tuesday, Banerjee said: “Shah in Darjeeling said he will not implement NRC. Don’t trust him. Assam went to polls three days ago and since yesterday, the notice has started for detention camps. I will never allow NPR, NRC to be implemented in Bengal.”