Opposition leaders across the spectrum on Monday commented over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new vaccination policy of providing free vaccines to all adults in government hospitals from June 2. They said that the vaccination policy decision has been driven by the Supreme Court’s criticism of its policy and constant pressure from political rivals.

Pointing out that the delay cost many lives, many opposition leaders argued that such a decision should have been taken right at the start of the vaccination programme.

Some Chief Ministers including Odisha’s Naveen Patnaik, Tamil Nadu’s M.K. Stalin, Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan, Punjab’s Captain Amarinder Singh and Rajasthan’s Ashok Gehlot, welcomed the move on Twitter.

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In a tweet, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated, “Back in Feb ’21 & multiple times thereafter, I’d written to the PM stating our long standing demand to provide vaccines to ALL for FREE. Took him 4 months but after much pressure, he has FINALLY listened to us & implemented what we’ve been asking all this while. The well-being of the people of India should’ve been prioritized since the very start of this pandemic. Unfortunately, this delayed decision by PM has already cost many lives”.

Mr. Gehlot contested the claim by PM Modi that states had asked for a ‘free-hand’ from the Centre with regard to vaccine procurement.

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Addressing a virtual press conference, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that the Prime Minister’s announcement partially met the Congress’ demand for a free universal vaccination. Surjewala added that a person may have to spend anywhere between ₹1,900 to ₹2,700 for two doses if he is ‘forced’ to get vaccinated at a private hospital because of non-availability of vaccines in a government hospital or opts for a private hospital.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi asked on twitter with hashtag #FreeVaccineForAll, “One simple question — If vaccines are free for all, why should private hospitals charge for them?”

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma added, “The cost of the delay has been unbearable for India as it resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. There can be no compensation for the human suffering.”

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CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury questioned the 25% quota of vaccines for private hospitals. He said, “The vaccination programme is funded by people’s money. So why is the discrimination continuing? This is not a largesse by the Modi government, it is not a favour that they are granting us.”

Taking a jibe at PM Modi, he added that the ground reality is drastically different from the “bombastic claims” on vaccination made by the Prime Minister.

CPI general secretary D. Raja said, “The opposition parties, including ours have been demanding universal, free vaccines and free foodgrains for the vulnerable. The government did not listen to the Opposition and then the Supreme Court had to step in.” He further added, “Vaccination is the government’s responsibility; it is not an act of charity.”

RJD MP Manoj Jha stated that earlier BJP had tried to run down the demands of the opposition on vaccination, and now in a dire situation, the centre was compelled to take this step. Mr. Jha observed this as a condition of policy paralysis.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha-Mallikarjun Kharge also questioned the decision and asked for a blueprint. He took to Twitter to ask, “If Govt has enough doses to vaccinate the most vulnerable people by July as it plans. Where is the blueprint for it?”