Congress ups ante against ruling BJP in Gujarat as Covid cases surge

The Congress in Gujarat has upped the ante in opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) authorities, blaming the “Namaste Trump” occasion organised in Ahmedabad on February 24 for a surge in Coronavirus infections within the state.

The opposition celebration demanded an impartial probe by a particular investigation staff (SIT) into the matter, and mentioned it’s going to quickly strategy the Gujarat excessive court docket in opposition to the state authorities’s “criminal negligence”, because the occasion held throughout US President Donald Trump’s go to allegedly led to neighborhood transmission of the virus.

Trump participated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi within the February 24 street present in Ahmedabad that was witnessed by hundreds of individuals.

After the street present, the 2 leaders addressed a gathering of greater than 100,000 folks at Motera cricket stadium, run by the Gujarat Cricket Association.

Till Friday, Gujarat reported 7,403 Covid-19 circumstances, of which 5,260 had been from Ahmedabad district alone. Of the 449 individuals who died because of the illness within the state, 343 had been from the town.

At least 204 sufferers have died in Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, whereas 92 died at Sardar Vallabhbhai Hospital.

“We will soon file a petition in the Gujarat high court demanding a judicial inquiry into the event through an SIT having field experts as its members,” mentioned Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda.

“We will demand action against the government, GCA and the Trump Abhivadan Samiti (a committee formed to organise the event) through this petition,” he added.

Chavda alleged the Coronavirus entered Gujarat and unfold amongst folks because of the Namaste Trump occasion as hundreds of foreigners got here to Ahmedabad forward of the US president’s go to.

“People were asked to stand shoulder to shoulder on the road to greet the leaders. Lakhs of people were brought to the stadium in buses. This triggered the spread of the virus. This event was not a mistake, but criminal negligence,” he mentioned.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had mentioned in January that the coronavirus spreads from one particular person to a different, and requested all international locations to chorus from organising massive gatherings, the Congress has maintained.

“Despite such warning, Namaste Trump was planned for political gains and permission was granted by the Gujarat government. Because of the Namaste Trump event, not only Gujarat but the whole country is paying the price,” the celebration alleged.

“Is it a coincidence that Ahmedabad, which hosted the event, has become one of the worst affected cities?” requested the Congress, whereas claiming the Gujarat mannequin of improvement was a lie that has fully devastated not solely the state however your complete nation.

However, the Gujarat unit of the BJP dismissed the allegations as baseless, and mentioned the occasion was organised properly earlier than the WHO declared Covid-19 a pandemic.

“The first Coronavirus case in Gujarat was reported on March 20, almost a month after the event. Chavda is making baseless allegations for vote bank politics,” mentioned Gujarat BJP spokesman Prashant Vala.

The state authorities’s provide to present land inside seven days and all clearances to arrange industries in 15 days to corporations desirous to shift out of China additionally confronted criticism from the Congress, which accused chief minister Vijay Rupani of being insensitive in the direction of migrant employees and the nation’s small and medium companies.

“Disgusted by @vijayrupanibjp ji’s announcement of inviting foreign investors. #Gujarat govts pathetic treatment towards our #migrant workers during #coronavirus will remain a blot forever. Our #MSMEs are on death bed. Give them a stimulus package before inviting foreign Industries,” mentioned senior Congress chief Shaktisinh Gohil.

His colleague Arjun Modhwadia additionally attacked the chief minister.

“I am happy to learn CM @vijayrupanibjp ji opens up Guj doors for Foreign investment & industries – to boost state’s economy & market. But what about local MSME dying? They need Stimulus package, relaxation in taxes. Why this step motherly behaviour Rupani ji?” he requested.

The state authorities has additionally introduced that new industries is not going to be sure by labour legal guidelines for 1,200 days (3.2 years) from the beginning of producing, to draw international direct funding and native funding after the pandemic.

“At present, a large number of industries and MNCs from Japan, the USA, Korea and other European nations are willing to shift their production from China to other countries. We have decided to coordinate with various Central ministries, including the external affairs ministry, and approach missions of different countries to attract such industries to Gujarat,” Rupani mentioned in a video message.