Appalled by Vardhan's statement that there is no shortage of oxygen, vaccines: Chidambaram

The opposition hit out at the Centre over the Union health minister Harsh Vardhan’s glaring assertion that India was not facing any shortage of oxygen and other medicines to treat Covid-19 patients and the country was well-prepared to deal with the second wave of the pandemic. Former home minister P Chidambaram said he was “appalled” by Vardhan’s statement and that the people “must revolt against” a government with such an attitude.

“Are all the television channels telecasting fake visuals (about the shortage of oxygen and medicines)? Are all the newspaper stories incorrect? Are all the doctors lying? Are all the family members making false statements? Are all the visuals and photographs fake? People must revolt against a government that is assuming all the people of India are fools,” Chidambaram said in a post on Twitter on Wednesday.

Equally appalling, he said, was the similar denial of shortage by Uttar Pradesh chief minister.


Condemning Vardhan’s statement, All India Congress Committee spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said he must immediately resign.

The Congress leadership also continued to target the government’s Covid-19 vaccine policy. In a reference to the government extending financial aid to help Bharat Biotech develop Covaxin, Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “People's money was given to vaccine companies to develop Covid vaccines. Now, GOI will make same people pay the highest price in the world for these vaccines. Once again, the failed ‘system’ fails our citizens for Modi-mitrs’ profit.”

He also questioned the logic of the Centre declaring the Central Vista project as essential works right in the middle of the pandemic. “Central Vista- not essential. Central Govt with a vision- essential,” Gandhi tweeted.