Another BJP MLA questions UP's handling of pandemic
Box:
Fears sedition charge
– Sitapur MLA Rakesh Rathore says, “What standing do MLAs have? If we speak too much, treason and sedition charges will be slapped on us.”
– Other members of the BJP have also questioned the state government’s handling of the pandemic. Union Labour minister Santosh Gangwar recently pointed out issues in Bareilly
Sitapur/Lucknow, May 17
The BJP’s Sitapur MLA has become the latest to join the list of ruling party lawmakers in Uttar Pradesh who have expressed resentment over the Covid management in the state, saying he feared a sedition charge for speaking up.
“What standing do MLAs have? If we speak too much, treason and sedition charges will be slapped on us,” Rakesh Rathore said while talking to reporters last week, according to a video clip which surfaced on Monday. The MLA was replying to a question about the ICU facilities in Sitapur.
Pressed further, he said, “Do you think any MLA can put forward his point of view?”
“Everything is going fine. I will only say that things couldn’t be better,” he said in a sarcastic vein, while replying to another question.
“I am not the government. But I can definitely say that whatever the government is telling you, it should be considered as correct,” he said.
Other members of the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh too have questioned Yogi Adityanath’s handling of the second wave of the Covid pandemic.
On May 9, Union Labour minister Santosh Gangwar complained to the CM about the situation in his Bareilly constituency, saying officials didn’t take calls and government health centres sent back patients for referrals from the district hospital. — PTI
