Who is the vaccine for, if not the Centre? If asking this makes us liable for politicking the subject, then we are, as a concerned state citizenry, showing the mirror to those articulating our opinions and grievances. The lockdown would have been purposeful had the Centre and states seized the occasion to inoculate the population as a counter-action against the mutating strain of the virus. But no, indulging in the optics of who said what, where and how became the sole motive and motto of our representatives, who have consciously discharged themselves of their duties.
Delhi witnessed the worst interim of Covid-related casualties, supplies and arrangements, with patients battling for their life due to lack of medical aid and assistance. The scene outside Jaipur Golden Hospital and Ganga Ram Hospital was harrowing, as those who had lost their loved ones were consoling themselves in a helpless situation.
Illustrated by monumental private care health care centres across the city, the point is: who are we to believe and blame? Arvind Kejriwal, as the Chief Minister of a semi-state such as Delhi, with all his limited powers seized by the Lieutenant Governor or the erring Centre, strategically pursued the nectar of prejudicial nationalist rhetoric and suitably eyed everyone by being ignorant of their situation and circumstances.
Governance is all about planning, cooperation, coordination and collaboration with different constituents, ably guiding and assisting the other. Delhi being a union territory is all about promoting a partnership between the powers at the Centre and the party in the state. Without this, the whole exercise becomes redundant.
Sheila Dikshit, three-time Delhi CM, amicably worked with Vajpayee’s NDA government at the Centre by resolving all pressing issues. PM Narendra Modi may learn a lesson or two by summoning all seven Delhi MPs to associate and engage with the people who are finding it next to impossible to make their ends meet. At first, he denied Delhi oxygen quota and now, he is trying to look the other way when Delhi is staring at the shortage of vaccines.
Modiji, your ambitious Central Vista project can wait for a while, but your caring and compassion can create a difference in the lives of the common and ordinary. Why are you shying away from responding to opposition leaders by tearing away glycerine tears? Who will take the guarantee for your dissociation from the process and procedure?
What kinds of political compulsions stand before you right now, Mr Prime Minister? As for the positivity approach inculcated and adopted by your parent organisation, the RSS, which, from time to time, evaluates and assesses your political presentation and performance in tandem with its views and virtues.