Onus on PM to ensure Centre-state unity in vaccine procurement and supply: Anand Sharma

The Congress leadership has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to walk his talk of ‘cooperative federalism’ by ensuring unity between the Centre and states in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in vaccine procurement and supply.

“The path of confrontation between the Centre and states hurts India's national interest. PM Modi has spoken of cooperative federalism. It is time to walk the talk. I urge the PM to take the initiative for a dialogue with the chief ministers to confront the challenge. In a democracy, differences in ideology will remain but these should not become personal. We must all stand united in this time of crisis,” senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said on Tuesday.

The former commerce minister’s statement came in the backdrop of some opposition-ruled states accusing the Centre of not lending a helping hand in procuring vaccines from abroad. Pointing out that democracy was about cooperation and dialogue, he said, “just as the prime minister has a mandate as the elected leader of the country, chief ministers of the states too have a constitutional mandate, which must be recognised.”


Lamenting that India’s vastness and diversity “is being sought to be micromanaged" during the unprecedented pandemic, he alleged, “centralisation of authority and decisions in one or two offices led to disastrous mismanagement.” Alleging the vaccine drive “is in a shambles and the people in villages are suffering and feeling letdown, Sharma reminded the Centre, “in a democracy, questions will be asked and those in authority made accountable. There is no wisdom in denials and challenging scientists and epidemiologists.”