Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Oct 23: BJP has declared in its election manifesto for Bihar, where the assembly elections are going to be held in the next five days, that they will provide free coronavirus vaccine. Many people have ridiculed the move of BJP, which has declared to give free coronavirus vaccine, which is yet to be confirmed by the medical fraternity.
Former chief minister (CM) and opposition leader of Karnataka Siddaramaiah has also expressed his anguish for this announcement of BJP to woo the voters of Bihar. In a tweet Siddaramaiah said, "Is it not possible to give free coronavirus vaccine to the people of Karnataka just because we do not have assembly elections here? Let the 25 MPs of BJP who are elected from the state put forth demand for free vaccine."
Siddaramaiah (left) and Nalin Kumar Kateel
"Union finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman has announced that BJP will provide free coronavirus vaccine during the election campaign in Bihar. BJP is using coronavirus as a tool for their election campaign in Bihar. When people of entire country are suffering from coronavirus pandemic, is it right on the part of union government to make such a discriminatory statement just to win elections? What PM Modi is planning to achieve through this kind of declaration? Did the votes became priority to BJP than the health and lives of Indians?" questioned Siddaramaiah.
Siddaramaiah further tweeted, "Karnataka has given 25 BJP MPs. These MPs, CM Yediyurappa and state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel have to demand the union government to give free coronavirus vaccine to Karnataka. The Kannadigas are waiting for this announcement. Will the state BJP government give this assurance instead of PM Modi."
Nalin Kumar Kateel was questioned by Siddaramaiah in a tweet which said, "Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka and union finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman has given assurance to state of Bihar of giving free vaccine for coronavirus. What is your opinion about this gesture Nalin?"
Siddaramaiah further challenged Nalin Kumar Kateel in a tweet by writing, "Do you have the guts to get free coronavirus vaccine to the people of Karnataka by convincing Nirmala Sitaraman, who is elected to Rajya Sabha from Karnataka state itself?"
BJP has released its election manifesto on Thursday for the Bihar assembly elections that are scheduled to be held from October 28. In that manifesto the party has promised to give free coronavirus vaccine to all Biharis. In addition, it has also promised to give first priority to create jobs for Biharis in their state itself.
Nirmala Sitaraman had announced that the aim of BJP is to provide coronavirus vaccine to each and every Bihari as soon as the same is approved by ICMR. This is the first assurance we are giving to the people of Bihar.
Bihar elections will be held in three phases. On October 28, in the first phase, polling will take place in 31,000 polling booths of 71 constituencies. This will be followed by polling in 42,000 polling both of 94 constituencies on November 3. The last phase will be held on November 10 in which polling will be held for 78 constituencies of 15 districts. The results will be declared on November 10.