Yahoo News Bihar: BJP's free vaccine promise elicits polarising reactions
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced that once a vaccine to treat COVID-19 is available for production at a mass scale, it will be provided for free to everyone in poll-bound Bihar. The promise is a part of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) manifesto in the state.
But her assertion drew a slew of contrasting reactions. While some were scathing in their criticism, many took a more measured approach. Here are some of the reactions:
GOI just announced India’s Covid access strategy.
Kindly refer to the state-wise election schedule to know when will you get it, along with a hoard of false promises.— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 22, 2020
Your attempt to twist Smt Nirmala Sitharaman’s statement reeks of desperation. All parties issue manifestos. Vaccines will be made available to all Indians at nominal costs. States can make it free. In #Bihar, we will. https://t.co/rDji6EBxuP
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) October 22, 2020
Those who are criticising the ‘free Covid-19 vaccine’ promise in BJP manifesto by terming it a “poll-time inducement”, what exactly was the Congress’s ‘farm loan waiver’ promise in its 2009 LS poll manifesto?
— Bharti Jain (@bhartijainTOI) October 22, 2020
AUG 14th:
@RahulGandhi asked the Modi govt to come up with a fair & inclusive Covid Vaccine Access Strategy
OCT 22nd:
Modi Govt announced their vaccine strategy. Free Vaccines to states where there is an Election
RG thinks for the Nation. Modi thinks about the next Election! pic.twitter.com/82H4Kj6iZa— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) October 22, 2020
In India, the national Finance Minister here is using the Covid-19 vaccine as a political tool to win votes in the state of Bihar, where elections take place this month.
https://t.co/6w6Bo3HilO— Rohan Venkat (@RohanV) October 22, 2020
Free COVID19 vaccine promise by @BJP4Bihar in its poll manifesto gets huge traction . As usual eco system gets into overdrive to ridicule the proposal . It’s our resolve whenever vaccine is available in whatever quantity it may be , it will be provided free in Bihar .
— B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) October 22, 2020
Why must health and the corona vaccine become an election issue? Why even promise free vaccinations in Bihar when it won’t even be ready as the FM says... https://t.co/gMMXxcQsFl
— Harinder Baweja (@shammybaweja) October 22, 2020
AAP/Kejribawal/Delhi: If we win elections, we will give free electricity, free water, free Wi-Fi, free bachchon ki kasam..
Secular Libtard Wokes: Yay! That's my kinda leader!
BJP/Bihar: When we win election, we will provide free vaccine for covid
SLW: What non-sense!— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) October 22, 2020
Dear @PMOIndia a vaccine for a global health emergency cannot be bartered for votes. Only morally bankrupt politicians can come up with this
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) October 22, 2020
What is wrong in statement of Union Finance Minister Smt @nsitharaman, here @ShashiTharoor?
From 1960s, @INCIndia & its SHAMELESS LEADERS promised "Garibi Hatao" in every Election Manifesto.
Tum mujhe vote do, main aapko khaana doonga.
Did you Incompetents fulfill the promise? https://t.co/TGutwYBZUo— C T Ravi 🇮🇳 ಸಿ ಟಿ ರವಿ (@CTRavi_BJP) October 22, 2020
Nirmala Sitharaman only read out the election manifesto 4 Bihar which says govt will give free vaccine to everyone.
Ppl are saying will BJP pay for it from its pockets! So when any other party says we will build bridges do they do so from their pockets?
Oppose, but with logic.— Ashu (@muglikar_) October 22, 2020
