Rahul takes jibe at Niti Aayog over ‘zero cases’ graph
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday took a jibe at the Niti Aayog over one of its predictions that the nationwide lockdown would ensure that India sees no fresh
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday took a jibe at the Niti Aayog over one of its predictions that the nationwide lockdown would ensure that India sees no fresh coronavirus cases from May 16.
“The geniuses at Niti Aayog have done it again. I’d like to remind you of their graph predicting the govt’s national lockdown strategy would ensure no fresh Covid cases from tomorrow, May the 16th,” Gandhi tweeted.
The Congress leader also posted a graph projected by the government at the time. According to the graph, Covid-19 cases in India saw a sudden spike from April 2, and peaked on April 18. The graph was predicted to descend from April 24 and see a complete dip on May 16, suggesting zero cases.
In a statement issued on Friday, the government think tank clarified, “Niti Aayog examines and analysis various epidemiological models. In a presentation, its member ( health) has presented various models as presented by outside experts. It is a theoretical model like several made by epidemiologists around the world. It should be read in that context and not literally. The said graph presents factual cases till date along with a trend line. No claim was made as to zero case by May 16, as is being incorrectly inferred.”
Reacting to a comment on the tweet, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said, “Blatant falsehood and a lie. I have never tweeted this nor is this my slide. Please don’t attribute it to me.”
In his press conferences on April 16 and May 8, Gandhi had insisted that the lockdown is not a solution to defeat Covid-19 but a pause button. He stressed the need for having a comprehensive exit strategy in place to ensure that the coronavirus does not come back once the restrictions are lifted.
