Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru May 17: The state and union government have completely failed in handling the pandemic, said district Congress president Harish Kumar.

Addressing media here on Monday, May 17, he said, "Last year the nation faced crises due to the first wave of the pandemic. Experts and scientists had warned about the second wave in the month of November but the BJP government took the warnings for granted which has led to the current situation. Despite the warnings by experts, the government failed to take precautionary measures and failed miserably when it came to the point of containing the impact of the pandemic."

"We have reached a stage where hundreds of people are dying every day, but the BJP government is busy giving justification. Suggestions from experts were not even considered before the lockdown was announced, at least compensation could have been given to auto drivers, taxi drivers and poverty-stricken citizens. BJP leaders took a jibe at our party saying that Congress would have handled the situation differently, yes the situation would have been different as our party would have given packages to benefit the poor and then announced lockdown so they do not face any hardships," said Harish Kumar.

"States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Delhi where there is no BJP government have announced packages. Why is it that our state government cannot follow suit? We are in this situation because of BJP," said Harish Kumar.

"Police officers have stated that over 2,000 vehicles were seized for lockdown violation. They say that they can be released if the required court procedures are followed. This is not the way it should have been, rather people should have been informed prior about the confiscation of vehicles and about the procedures in court to get them released. This is on the government for not issuing proper directions. We demand that vehicles seized should be released on the payment of a fine by the violators," he added.

"A warning for the third wave has been already issued and the preparation should be made to tackle it," Harish Kumar said.

Former minister Ramanath Rai said, "As many as 25 persons were arrested for pasting posters that criticized PM Modi for vaccination shortage. BJP are not worried about the people suffering due to the pandemic but concerned about maintaining the reputation of the Prime Minister."

Former MLAs J R Lobo, Abhayachandra Jain, former district Youth Congress president, Mithun Rai and others were present.