BJP, AAP spar over Covid handling

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 17

The Rajya Sabha today witnessed heated exchanges between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP over the issue of managing the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, with the former claiming it “foolish” to ask people to clap and beat utensils, which was countered by the later by giving example of Mahatma Gandhi bringing “charkha” as symbol of national cohesion.

While participating in a debate on Covid-19 in the House, AAP’s Sanjay Singh said, “I want to ask this government, tell me any one research in the world that shows Covid can be prevented by clamping utensils. The entire Opposition will not go home, but will clap with the Prime Minister and light ‘diyas’ in Parliament.”

Noting that the government has brought “such absurd and foolish schemes and expect the entire country to be fooled by you”, Singh used the occasion to hit at the government to look for opportunity in times of disaster and alleged corruption in the procurement of equipment to fight the disease, including thermometers and oxymetres.

Countering the accusation BJP’s Sudhanshu Trivedi hit back, saying the PM’s move was symbolic and sought to unite the country socially just like Mahatma Gandhi chose the symbol of “charkha” for national cohesion during the freedom struggle.

Trivedi said, “Many of our friends have a problem with lighting lamps (diyas) and clanging utensils. Did spinning a ‘charkha’ lead to the British leaving? It was a symbol chosen by Gandhiji. They don’t know the history.”