Rajasthan CM urges PM Modi to stop political rallies, consult states to deal with Covid situation

With India grappling with the second wave of Covid-19, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot urged Prime Minister to completely stop holding political programmes, rallies and roadshows.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to halt all political programmes, rallies, and roadshows in the wake of the prevailing Covid situation in the country. On the one hand we ask people to follow Covid protocol and on the other hand crowd of lakhs of people continued to gather in election rallies and roadshows. It has been going on since Bihar elections.1/3 Even judiciary and ECI can not shy away from their responsibility. Despite opposition from the States, the Supreme Court and High courts issued order for holding Panchayat and local bodies elections. ECI continued announcing elections simply to discharge its duty.2/3 Stringent measures like lockdown and curfew are being resorted to. The Prime Minister should talk to the states in detail as he did earlier. "Situation with regard to Covid has taken dangerous proportion in the entire country. Now, this virus is spreading rapidly amongst youth and children. The Prime Minister should now completely stop holding political programmes, rallies and roadshows," CM Ashok Gehlot said. Ashok Gehlot took to Twitter to highlight the contradiction in politicians asking people to follow Covid-19 norms while holding election rallies that violate the norms.