'History would've been kinder to you if Congress took your advice': Vardhan responds to Manmohan Singh's letter

New Delhi: A day after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote a letter to his incumbent counterpart suggesting a slew of measures to the government on Covid crisis management, Union Health minister Harsh Vardhan hit back at Singh for his critique of the government's pandemic management strategy by alleging that the second wave was instead fuelled by Congress-ruled states as they were busy raising doubts about vaccines rather than inoculating people.

Responding to Singh's letter to Prime Minister Modi, Vardhan said the letter drafters of the senior Congress leader have done a great disservice to his standing.

Acknowledging that while Singh understands the significance of vaccination as an important method of fighting the Covid-19 battle, Vardhan said, in his letter, that 'irresponsible' public pronouncements made by some Congress leaders have resulted in a below national average vaccination coverage of senior citizens and even frontline workers in some of the Congress-ruled states.

Tweeting the letter to Singh, the Health minister said: "History shall be kinder to you Dr Manmohan Singh ji if your offer of 'constructive cooperation' and valuable advice was followed by your INCIndia leaders as well in such extraordinary times!"

With due respect, and 'irrespective of the negativity that your party spreads' Vardhan said he takes Singh's suggestions at face value and with the belief that they are made keeping national interest in mind.

However, the Congress has criticised the Union Health minister for his "condemnable" reply to the former Prime Minister's letter by saying that the minister's response was inspired by politics.

"Why is PM addressing four rallies in one day ignoring his responsibilities as PM? We all know what BJP's rallies are. Glitzy, multi-crore extravaganzas that are used to abuse the Opposition parties," said senior Congress leader P Chidambaram.

"What is so important about these rallies that the PM himself has to address them? Is it because of fear that the BJP is losing the election," he asked in a series of tweets.

"The voters of West Bengal in the remaining three phases must express their strong disapproval of the PM's gross negligence of his duties," Chidambaram said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also condemned Vardhan's letter and alleged that the Centre is unable to tolerate any suggestion from a person or a political party, and considers it criticism.

Alleging that the minister was engaging in name-calling, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate and senior party leader Ashok Chavan said his remarks were meaningless as the letter was addressed to the Prime Minister and not to the Health minister.

On Vardhan's allegation that Congress-ruled states created vaccine hesitancy, Shrinate said: "Vaccine hesitancy is a natural concern and despite being a medical doctor, it is sad that the minister labelled it as a politically fuelled hesitancy."