The Congress president’s remarks during her address to a CWC meet held through videoconferencing comes days after the BJP targeted the Maharashtra govt. over the Palghar lynching incident

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday accused the BJP of spreading ‘the virus of communal prejudice and hatred’ even in the midst of the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Ms Gandhi made the charge at a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held through videoconferencing.

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The CWC asked the government to utilise the remaining lockdown period to prepare a ‘detailed exit strategy and a future road map’ that would substantially increase the health infrastructure capacity, revive the economy and protect current levels of employment and wages/income.

While former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Centre-State cooperation was key to successfully fighting the pandemic, former party chief Rahul Gandhi urged the Centre to resume economic activities in green zone, seal the hotspots and and address the issue of return of migrants workers on priority.

CMs complaint

Chief Ministers of the Congress-ruled States - Ashok Gehlot of Rajasthan, Amarinder Singh of Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel of Chhattisgarh and V. Narayansamy of Puducherry complained of lack of financial assistance from the Centre. They also complained about the shortage as well as poor quality of the China-made rapid testing kits.

“The fight against COVID-19 is being fought at the State, district, city and village levels. States, therefore, must be empowered to devise solutions tailored to their unique situations and challenges,” party leaders K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala said while reading out parts of a CWC resolution.

In her opening remarks, Ms Gandhi told the CWC, “Let me also share with you something that should worry each and every one us Indians. When we should be tackling the Coronavirus unitedly, the BJP continues to spread the virus of communal prejudice and hatred. Grave damage is being done to our social harmony. Our party, we will have to work hard to repair that damage.”

Lynching incident

Ms Gandhi’s remarks come just days after the BJP targeted the Maharashtra government, in which the Congress is a part, for the lynching of three persons at Palghar on April 16.

She pointed out that the speed and the spread of the pandemic had increased disturbingly in the past three weeks. “We have repeatedly urged the Prime Minister that there is no alternative to testing, tracing and quarantine programme. Unfortunately, testing still remains low and testing kits are still in short supply and of poor quality. The PPE [personal protection equipment] kits are being provided to our doctors and healthcare workers but the number and quality are poor”. she said.

Ms Gandhi noted that the lockdown had meant acute distress to farmers, agricultural and migrant labour, construction workers and those who are earn their livelihood from the informal sector.

‘Suggestions ignored’

The Congress claimed that though 12 crore jobs have been lost due to the lockdown, the government had acted miserly on its suggestions like giving 10 kgs of free food grains, transferring Rs. 7,500 to every Jan Dhan account, prepare a revival package for micro, small, medium enterprises (MSME) and ease the procurement process for Rabi crops from farmers.

“The CWC strongly recommends a complete loan moratorium on agricultural and other loans for a period of at least one year along with complete interest subvention,” the CWC resolution said.