BJP’s ‘Free Vaccine’ Promise In Bihar Manifesto Triggers Political Storm

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman triggered a political storm after the BJP promised to provide free coronavirus vaccine in their manifesto released for the Bihar Assembly elections. Sitharaman released the party’s manifesto saying once the vaccine will be available for mass production, every person in Bihar will get it free. The BJP’s promise to provide the vaccine free of cost was mired in controversy and opposition parties immediately started questioning how a life-saving vaccine could be used as election fodder.

Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor, and other party leaders cornered the central govt over the issue. Rahul Gandhi tweeted — The Government of India has announced its strategy regarding people’s access to the coronavirus vaccine. Please take the help of state-wise election programs to know when you will get it with a box of other fake promises.’

भारत सरकार ने कोविड वैक्सीन वितरण की घोषणा कर दी है।

ये जानने के लिए कि वैक्सीन और झूठे वादे आपको कब मिलेंगे, कृपया अपने राज्य के चुनाव की तारीख़ देखें।

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 22, 2020

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said, ‘Will @BJP4India be paying for these vaccines from the party treasury? If it’s coming from the government treasury then how can Bihar get free vaccines while the rest of the country has to pay? There is so much wrong with this blatant populism that shamefully exploits COVID fears.’

 

Late in the evening, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the former Union Minister who recently split from the NDA, tweeted, — Free vaccine only in Bihar? It’s ridiculous! Does the whole country not pay taxes or are they not equal citizens of India? It’s the GoI’s duty to vaccinate the entire country. Using this life saving vaccine as a tool for votes is totally unethical.

Free vaccine only in Bihar? It's ridiculous! Does the whole country not pay taxes or are they not equal citizens of India? It’s the GoI's duty to vaccinate the entire country. Using this life saving vaccine as a tool for votes is totally unethical.#VaccineForVotes #COVID19

— Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) October 22, 2020

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal questioned whether the vaccine will be given free to those who do not vote for BJP. He said, ‘What about non-BJP states? Will not Indians get free vaccine for those who did not vote for BJP? Several political parties are also demanding action from the Election Commission against the saffron party for promising a life-saving vaccine during an election campaign. The matter continued to resonate on social media as well, #vaccineelectionism was trending on Twitter late Thursday evening.