‘Their formula has failed’: Union minister targets Kerala govt as state sees Covid surge

Union minister V Muraleedharan said that the relaxation for Eid al-Adha was not given on the basis of surge or decline in Covid-19 cases but on the basis of “political and vote bank considerations”.

The formula followed by the Kerala government for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) response has failed, Union minister V Muraleedharan said on Thursday as the state is witnessing another surge in infections. The minister of state for external affairs criticised Kerala’s handling of the pandemic after the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government declared complete lockdown in view of rising Covid-19 cases, news agency ANI reported

Muraleedharan accused the Kerala government of not following the health guidelines issued by the WHO and the ICMR.

Muraleedharan accused the state government of not following the health guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), saying the state took a stand for following their “own principles” and “formula”. “Now it has come to light that their formula has failed. Government should follow the scientific principles and formula,” ANI quoted the minister as saying.

Earlier today, the Union ministry of health and family welfare announced that a six-member team will be sent to Kerala to take a stock of the current situation and recommend necessary public health interventions to contain the Covid-19 surge. The ministry said that Kerala is contributing 37.1% of India’s total active cases in the country, with over 17,000 average daily cases being reported in the state.

The Union minister targeted the state government for easing Covid restrictions for Eid al-Adha even when several states had to cancel other religious activities in view of the pandemic. He said that the relaxation was not given on the basis of surge or decline in Covid-19 cases but on the basis of “political and vote bank considerations”.

Now that the Kerala government has declared complete lockdown on the weekend, Muraleedharan claimed it doesn’t have any “scientific basis.” He said that people rush to markets on Fridays in such a situation, causing a spike in infections. The minister stressed that the state government should follow “scientific principles, observe guidelines of ICMR and also not use Covid for political gains.”

(With inputs from ANI)