Modi calls for united fight against Covid pandemic

New Delhi, July 20: With some opposition parties including the Congress skipping an all-party meeting on the Covid-19 management, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for the Centre and states to work together as a team and rise above politics to combat the pandemic.

Speaking at the meeting called by the central government, Modi said India is in a better position than many other countries in terms of the ratio of the population hit by the disease but underlined the need to remain vigilant as he cited the resurgence of the infection in some countries like the United Kingdom, sources said.

He said vaccines from more companies are likely to be available in some time and spoke about the push being given by the government to vaccination.

A presentation on Covid19 management was given by health secretary Rajesh Bhushan at the meeting, which lasted for nearly three hours. It was followed by queries and suggestions from leaders of various parties.

The Shiv Sena and the TMC demanded more vaccines for Maharashtra and West Bengal, respectively.

The BJD, TMC and few others also demanded the government should expedite the process for getting international recognition for Covaxin.

While many non-NDA parties attended the meeting, the BJP’s former ally, Akali Dal, also skipped it. The Left parties also did

not attend the meeting.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the Congress is not boycotting the meeting but it will not attend as his party wants the government to present the facts on the floor of both Houses.