On Friday, the Election Commission of India reminded political parties to follow Covid-19 protocols while campaigning, after finding instances where social distancing and mask wearing norms has been flouted.
The EC said it had “taken a serious view of the laxity” and expected political parties and leaders to be torch bearers against the spread of the outbreak.
The EC also said it would “not hesitate in banning public meetings, rallies of defaulting candidates, star campaigners or political leaders without any further reference” if the rules are flouted.
With 3,648 fresh cases in 24 hours, the state logged the highest count of Covid-19 cases so far this year on Friday. Overall, the tally stands at 6,06,455.
Jaiprakash Majumdar, vice president of the BJP, said the party has two priority tasks before it – to unseat the TMC government and to defeat Covid-19.
“Both these tasks are equally important to us. We have the best interests of people in mind. We want the best systems to be put in place. One has to just remember that the largest vaccination drive is going on in the country right now, and it has been possible because of PM Narendra Modi,” he said.
Majumdar blamed the TMC government for not developing public health infrastructure in the state, which he claimed was the reason why “every health crisis in the state ended up affecting lives of more people here.”
TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said the BJP started organising roadshows much before anyone else in the party and alleged that the national party had displayed complete disregard for Covid-19 norms.