Bhubaneswar: The BJP Saturday said that the state and the Union governments need to work together on the issue of COVID-19 management and refrain from blaming each other.
BJP leader and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi said, “The work of Chief Minister is to keep the Prime Minister updated on the issue of vaccine situation. I welcome his decision. The time is ripe for the states and Central government to work towards cooperative federalism. This is not the time to indulge in blame game. The health ministry is working well and monitoring the vaccines regularly,” she said.
She also added, “I assure the state that the Union government will take steps accordingly to take care of the vaccine needs of the state. The Union government is taking all required steps on vaccines, oxygen and other things.”
Senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra said, “The decision taken by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to reach out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of vaccines is a welcome step. His statement on the issue of vaccination was based on the calculations and observation of Health department.”
He added, “The Chief Minister has also given suggestions to the PM on the diversion of vaccines to the open market. There are a lot of developments happening in the area of vaccines. These suggestions are for the welfare of the state.”
The Congress party asked the Chief Minister to personally talk to the PM over telephone and engage more passionately on the issue. Congress leader Suresh Routray said, “Naveen should talk to the PM directly. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan should participate too in bringing vaccines to the state. For how long does the Chief Minister would write letters?”
PNN