Congress, BJP engage in war of words over COVID-19 vaccine stock in Maharashtra

A day after Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan accused the Maharashtra government of attempting to cover up its ‘failures’ by making misleading statements regarding COVID-19 vaccine availability, the Congress on Thursday hit out at Mr. Vardhan with Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Nana Patole demanding that he apologise to the State. “Ever since the second wave hit Maharashtra, the State government has constantly been requesting the Centre for more vaccines and financial assistance. We condemn the manner in which the Union Health Minister accused Maharashtra yesterday. He has insulted the State,” Mr. Patole said, adding that COVID-19 management was also the responsibility of the Central government.