Updated: October 24, 2020 5:02:47 pm
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday, October 24, 2020 (PTI).
Under fire from the opposition over the BJP’s electoral promise of a free Covid vaccine in Bihar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman claimed on Friday that the announcement was “perfectly in order” and that the party can announce what it wants to do. when it comes to power. .
“It is a manifest advertisement. A party can announce what it wants to do when it comes to power. That is exactly what is advertised. Health is a matter of state. It is perfectly in order, “Nirmala Sitharaman told the media, according to the PTI news agency.
Each party in its manifesto declares what it wants to do when it comes to power, he added.
Patna: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, together with BJP Secretary General Bhupendra Yadav and State Party Chairman Sanjay Jaiswal, publish a party manifesto ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections in Patna, on Thursday, October 22, 2020 (Photo PI).
Earlier this week, the finance minister had released the BJP manifesto for the Bihar polls. “The government of the NDA in Bihar has set an example in the fight against the new coronavirus. It is our promise that when a vaccine for COVID becomes available after the approval of the ICMR, all residents of Bihar will receive a free vaccine, ”the party had said in its manifesto.
The move was criticized by opposition parties demanding action by the Electoral Commission (EC), while claiming that the ruling party was using the pandemic for political gain.
The Opposition had said that the promise of a vaccine in an election manifesto shows BJP’s “desperation” and asked if non-BJP states will get the Covid vaccine for free.
“The Corona vaccine is from the country. It does not belong to the BJP. The political use of the vaccine shows that they have no choice but to sell their fear of disease and death. The people of Bihar respect themselves, they don’t sell their children’s future for pennies, ”the RJD had said.
The former president of Congress, Rahul Gandhi, had also attacked the ruling party. In a tweet, Gandhi had said: “GOI just announced India’s Covid access strategy. Please check the state election calendar to find out when you will receive it, along with a lot of false promises, ”Gandhi had tweeted.
However, as reported by Indian Express, Election Commission sources said that the BJP’s promise of a free Covid-19 vaccine for the people of Bihar does not violate the Model Code of Conduct.
When asked if the promise could be construed as undue influence, as mentioned in the Commission’s guidelines on an electoral manifesto, the sources pointed out that Section 123 of the People’s Representation Law which states that you cannot see an “statement of public policy or a promise of public action.” as undue influence.
The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled to take place in three phases, starting on October 28.
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