10/23/2020 Bihar polls: BJP promise of free Covid vaccine in manifesto stirs row | Bihar Assembly Elections 2020

Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 Election News - Times of India

15
SIGN IN

TOI TIMESPOINTS

+
HOW TO EARN MY ACTIVITY FAQs

(HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/)
ELECTIONS (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/ELECTIONS)
BIHAR (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/ELECTIONS/ASSEMBLY-ELECTIONS/BIHAR)
Daily Check-in
ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/ELECTIONS/ASSEMBLY-E
Earn 3 TimesPoints by visiting TOI everyday. On 5th consecutive visit
get -1 points.
DATA HUB (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/ELECTIONS/ASSEMBLY

Read Articles
NEWS (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/) / ELECTIONS (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/ELECTIONS) /
ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/ELECTIONS/ASSEMBLY-ELECTIONS) /
Earn /1 TimesPoint
ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS - BIHAR (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/ELECTIONS/ASSEMBLY-ELECTIONS/BIHAR) for every article you read
BIHAR POLLS: BJP PROMISE OF FREE COVID VACCINE IN MANIFESTO STIRS ROW

Watch Videos
English | Epaper (https://epaper.timesgroup.com/) | GadgetsNow (https://www.gadgetsnow.com/)
Earn 2 TimesPoints for every video you watch
Bihar polls: BJP promise of free Covid vaccine in manifesto stirs row
Listen to Podcast (/articleshowprint/78818536.cms)
Abhay Singh (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toireporter/author-Abhay-Singh-970.cms) | TNN | Updated: Oct 23, 2020, 02:22 IST
Earn 5 TimesPoints for every podcast you listen to

MORE

Daily Check-ins: 0/5 completed

(https://twitter.com/timesofindia)
(https://www.facebook.com/Tim
(https://timesofindia.indi
(https://www.youtu

PTI photo
PATNA: A major row broke out on Thursday over “vaccine politics” with BJP’s Bihar
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bihar) poll manifesto promising free Covid-19 vaccines and opposition parties slamming
the announcement as “politicisation of the pandemic” while asking if India’s vaccination strategy would be driven by the election
schedule of its states.

Unveiling BJP’s “free vaccine for all” pledge, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “As soon as Covid-19 vaccine will
be available for production at a mass scale, every person in Bihar will get free vaccination. This is the first promise mentioned in
our poll manifesto.”

Read also:
Free Covid vaccine, 19 lakh jobs: BJP releases Bihar manifesto
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/free-covid-vaccine-19-lakh-jobs-bjp-releases-bihar-
manifesto/articleshow/78803246.cms)

Later in the day, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/karnataka) vowed to vaccinate every citizen
for free, while MP said its poor would get free vaccination. BJP’s promise in Bihar drew sharp responses from Congress, RJD,
Shiv Sena, CPM and NC.

NEWS IN BRIEF (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/BRIEFS)

(h

EXPLORE BRIEFS
tp t
s:
t im //
es
fin o
ia d
.i n
ia d
t im
es
.c
om
/b
rie
fs

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-polls-bjp-promise-of-free-covid-vaccine-in-manifesto-stirs-row/articleshow/7881853… 1/7
10/23/2020 Bihar polls: BJP promise of free Covid vaccine in manifesto stirs row | Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 Election News - Times of India
Can Trump win? Yes. But the path is LAC stand-off: Total disengagement is top
narrow and difficult. priority, says India
President Donald Trump’s victory in 2016 is As India and China maintain stable but
remembered for defying polls and stunning confrontational positions in Eastern Ladakh,
Democrats. But in many ways, it was not a MEA said on Thursday that, “the immediate task
surprise. Trump’s obstacles are considerably is to ensure a comprehensive disengagement
higher this time. He is an unpopular incumbent of troops in all the friction areas.” The two sides
in the midst of a pandemic and an economic are reportedly engaged in high-level talks to
decline. He is facing a much different opponent, resolve the stand-off.
Joe Biden, who has carefully studied Clinton’s (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/lac-
mistakes.
stand-off-total-disengagement-is-top-
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-
priority-says-
presidential-elections/can-trump-win-
india/articleshow/78811971.cms)
yes-but-the-path-is-narrow-and-
difficult-/articleshow/78807863.cms)

Read also:
Covid: Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka too say they’ll give free vaccine doses
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-madhya-pradesh-tamil-nadu-karnataka-too-say-theyll-give-free-
vaccine-doses/articleshow/78818670.cms)

However, official sources, while refusing to comment on a “political issue”, said the BJP manifesto spoke of free distribution only
when a vaccine reached largescale production.

At initial stages of production, the prioritisation plans being drawn up by the Centre would be followed and the vaccine would be
procured by the central government, official sources said. Congress’ Rahul Gandhi hit out at BJP’s vaccine pledge, tweeting,
“Government just announced India’s Covid access strategy. Kindly refer to the state-wise election schedule to know when you
will get it, along with a hoard of false promises.”

GOI just announced India’s Covid access strategy. Kindly refer to the state-wise election schedule to know when w…
https://t.co/frGw2cYYIj
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) 1603362864000 (https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1319225587043463173)

BJP’s social media head Amit Malviya, however, defended the promise, “BJP’s manifesto promises free Covid vaccine. Like all
programmes, Centre will provide vaccines to states at a nominal rate. It is for the state governments to decide if they want to
give it free or otherwise. Health being a state subject, Bihar BJP has decided to give it free. Simple.”

The controversy, however, continued to rage with former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah asking whether the vaccines will be
paid for from the BJP treasury and CPM leader Sitaram Yechury calling the announcement a brazen violation of the code of
conduct.

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel said BJP was politicising the health of citizens and Shiv Sena’s Priyanka Chaturvedi asked
whether this was going to be another empty poll promise like pledges of assistance to Maharashtra. BJP’s ally in Bihar JD(U) said
vaccines would be made available free.

“Health is a state subject. If the NDA government returns, it will either distribute vaccines among people, whatever its cost, or
conduct a mass vaccination drive. I will not be able to say who is doing politics on it, but free vaccination will be for the good of
people,” state JD(U) spokesman Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said.

Speaking on the manifesto, Sitharaman said the country was nearing vaccine production and said when scientists give
clearance for mass production of the vaccine, it would be made available to the people of Bihar free of cost. While the
government has indicated that a vaccine can be available early next year, the stage three trial data for the AstraZeneca
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/AstraZeneca) candidate is expected to be ready for scrutiny by end-November or early-
December, raising the possibility of the first doses being ready for use this year itself but well after the Bihar polls
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Bihar-polls) are done and dusted.

The BJP manifesto also promised 19 lakh jobs in an apparent bid to counter the Mahagathbandhan’s CM face Tejashwi Yadav’s
poll promise of 10 lakh government jobs. The free vaccine promise is the first of the 11 resolutions in the manifesto.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-polls-bjp-promise-of-free-covid-vaccine-in-manifesto-stirs-row/articleshow/7881853… 2/7
10/23/2020 Bihar polls: BJP promise of free Covid vaccine in manifesto stirs row | Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 Election News - Times of India
“Vaccine for coronavirus (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/coronavirus) belongs to the country, and not BJP. The political use
of this vaccine shows they have no other option than selling fear of death and disease,” read a tweet posted by RJD’s official
TOP COMMENT
handle.
day by day BJP standard is going down now vaccine is also a political tool by BJP

walters cricket
“We have requested the Election Commission to take notice of
SEE ALL COMMENTS ADD COMMENT
such promises. BJP is trying to sign a poll deal using the
vaccine,” RJD spokesman Chittaranjan Gagan said. Congress’
Randeep Singh Surjewala said the promise was a “political gimmick”.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that a vaccine is not possible before a year. BJP in a way is deriding people,” he added.
Sitharaman said second generation IT hubs would be created in Rajgir and Patna — IT Park, IT Tower, Software Park and
Hardware Manufacturing Park — with a potential to create job opportunities for 5 lakh youths.

Download

The Times of India News App (http://get.timesofindia.com) for Latest Elections News (http://get.timesofindia.com)

RECOMMENDED DEALS

HP 1020 Plus Supples Baby Abbzorb

Single Function Wet Wipes with Nutrition Whey
Laser Printer Aloe Vera and Isolate 27.4g
(Black) Vitamin E, 72 Protein | 7g
Wipes/Pack, BCAA -with
HP 1020 Plus Single Supples Baby Wet Abbzorb Nutrition
Function Laser Printe…
(Pack of 6)
Wipes with Aloe Ver…
Digestive
Whey Isolate 27.4g…
Enzymes 1 kg
₹11999 BUY ₹395 BUY ₹1679 BUY
(Chocolate
₹ 13025 (7% OFF) ₹ 744 (46% OFF) ₹ 3499 (52% OFF)
Flavour)

READ 92 COMMENTS POST A COMMENT

walters cricket (http://mytimes.indiatimes.com/profile/701659374)

day by day BJP standard is going down now vaccine is also a political tool by BJP
REPLY 53 15 FLAG

Indian Lover (http://mytimes.indiatimes.com/profile/pvt1232k)

Bihar is lucky state to have first elections in the Covid19 pandemic and getting vaccine free. Worst and cheapest election promise by any
political pa...
REPLY 43 17 FLAG

Anjan Kesh (http://mytimes.indiatimes.com/profile/nahif35496)

Another addition to the 30 imaginary smart cities and Rs.35 per litre petrol
REPLY 41 13 FLAG

CORONAVIRUS NEWS (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.… US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION (HTTPS://TIMESO… US NEWS (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.…

MORE FROM
TIMES OF INDIA PAKISTAN NEWS (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIA… DONALD TRUMP (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDI… CHINA NEWS (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATI…
NEWS SOUTH ASIA NEWS (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.IN… WORLD NEWS (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATI… NARENDRA MODI (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.IND…

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-polls-bjp-promise-of-free-covid-vaccine-in-manifesto-stirs-row/articleshow/7881853… 3/7
10/23/2020 Bihar polls: BJP promise of free Covid vaccine in manifesto stirs row | Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 Election News - Times of India

(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/maskindia)

THE CORONA LETTER

Covid-19 daily briefing

Your email address SUBSCRIBE

STORIES
(HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM
PLUS)
SEE ALL

Why for many

Indians living longer
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/why-for-many-
means living in…
indians-living-longer-means-living-in-
darkness/articleshow/78745476.cms)
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/these-
may-be-the-5-bravest-sports-journalists-in-
india/articleshow/78716058.cms)

(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/why-
music-industry-is-disappointed-with-bihar-
polls/articleshow/78700383.cms)

(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/how-
9-men-fought-death-for-55-
days/articleshow/78695225.cms)

Read TOI without Ads

Subscribe to 1 year
TimesPrime membership for
Rs. 999/- only

Also, Earn +200TimesPoints.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Save 30% + More offers

+30 more

COVID-19 Cases Confirmed Deaths

INDIA 7,706,946 116,616

FULL COVERAGE

CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
Coronavirus symptoms Coronavirus
Precautions
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-
symptoms-and-

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-polls-bjp-promise-of-free-covid-vaccine-in-manifesto-stirs-row/articleshow/7881853… 4/7
10/23/2020 Bihar polls: BJP promise of free Covid vaccine in manifesto stirs row | Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 Election News - Times of India
precautions/articleshow/74451114.cms)
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/what
are-the-ways-to-prevent-
the-spread-of-novel-
coronavirus-covid-
19/articleshow/74668875.cms)
Coronavirus live news COVID-19 cases
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid
live-updates-daily-covid-19- high-caseloads-but-
cases-below-60000-for-3- maharashtra-rajasthan-
days/liveblog/78799186.cms) bengal-scale-down-
testing/articleshow/78798806.cms)
Covid-19 vaccine Coronavirus DO's &
Dont's
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/digital-
health-id-not-mandatory-for- (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coro
accessing-covid-vaccine- dos-and-
health- donts/articleshow/74467949.cms)
ministry/articleshow/78775864.cms)

LATEST VIDEOS
TOP VIDEOS

MP bypolls: Money Hrithik's mom

rains at ministers' Pinkie Roshan tests
house, neta's son… COVID-19 positive
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/city/bhopal/mp-
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/e
bypolls-money-rains-at- roshans-mom-pinkie-
ministers-house-netas- roshan-tests-covid-19-
son-courts-controversy- positive-she-confirms-she-
during-bjp- is-
rally/videoshow/78814732.cms)asymptomatic/videoshow/78809591.cms)

TRENDING VIDEOS

Bihar elections: PM Interview with Table

Modi praises Nitish Tennis Champion
Kumar for… Harmeet Desai
' h ' k
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/bihar-
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/sp
elections-pm-modi-praises- sports/interview-with-table-
nitish-kumar-for-sushasan- tennis-champion-harmeet-
takes-dig-at-lalu- desai/videoshow/75771983.cms)
yadav/videoshow/78089599.cms)

Miss Diva Universe Shefali Sood and

2019 Vartika Singh Varun Verma during
at Hyatt Regency… Press Conference…
L k Al f N
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/beauty-D lhi
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/b
pageants/miss-diva/miss- pageants/miss-diva/shefali-
diva-universe-2019-vartika- sood-and-varun-verma-
singh-at-hyatt-regency- during-press-conference-
lucknow/videoshow/71520386.cms)
at-aloft-new-delhi-
aerocity/videoshow/71630577.cms)

MORE FROM TOI

(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-
style/food-news/is-kuttu-ka-atta-
healthy/photostory/78623722.cms)

(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-
style/food-news/5-foods-consumed-during-
navratri-that-you-should-be-eating-the-whole-
year/photostory/78749719.cms)

(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/most-
searched-products/todays-deals/amazon/amazon-
sale-up-to-rs-35000-off-on-laptops-desktops-
monitors-internal-storage-and-computer-
accessories/articleshow/78780768.cms)

(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/most-
searched-products/fashion/exquisite-banarasi-
sarees-for-women-for-festive-
dressing/articleshow/78764269.cms)

NAVBHARAT TIMES
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-polls-bjp-promise-of-free-covid-vaccine-in-manifesto-stirs-row/articleshow/7881853… 5/7
10/23/2020 Bihar polls: BJP promise of free Covid vaccine in manifesto stirs row | Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 Election News - Times of India

FEATURED TODAY IN TRAVEL

OTHER TIMES GROUP NEWS SITES SERVICES

The Economic Times (htt… Hindi Economic Times (h… Navbharat Times (https://… Ads 2 Book (https://www… Bank Exam App (https://… ET Money Finance App (…
Maharashtra Times (http… Vijaya Karnataka (https://… Telugu Samayam (https:/… CouponDunia (http://ww… Dineout (https://www.din… Magicbricks (http://www.…
Tamil Samayam (https://t… Malayalam Samayam (htt… Ei Samay (https://eisama… Techgig (http://www.tech… Times Jobs (http://www.t… Bollywood News (https://…
I am Gujarat (https://www… Times Now (https://www.… Times Now Hindi (https:/… Times Mobile (http://ww… Remit 2 India (https://ww… TC Next (http://www.tcne…
TimesPoints (https://ww… Indiatimes (https://www.i… Brand Capital (http://bran… Astro Speak (http://www.… Gadgets Now (https://w… Careers (http://careers.ti…
Education Times (http://… Times Food (https://reci… Miss Kyra (https://www.m… Colombia (https://www.c…
Mumbai Mirror (https://m… Pune Mirror (https://pun… Ahmedabad Mirror (https…
Bangalore Mirror (https://… MX Player (https://www.… Hindi Podcast (https://na… POPULAR CATEGORIES
Bengali Podcast (https://… MX ShareKaro (https://m… MX TakaTak App (https://…
Headlines (https://times… Sports News (https://tim… Business News (https://ti…
India News (https://times… World News (https://time… Bollywood News (https://…
LIVING AND ENTERTAINMENT
Health & Fitness Tips (ht… Indian TV Shows (https://… Celebrity Photos (http://…
MensXP.com (http://men… Femina (http://www.femi… ETimes (https://timesofin…
Grazia (http://www.grazia… Zoom (http://www.zoomt… Travel Destinations (http… HOT ON THE WEB
Bombay Times (http://w… Cricbuzz.com (http://cric… Filmfare (http://www.filmf…
I love you (https://timeso… Kiara Advani (https://time… Shruti Haasan (https://ti…
Online Songs (https://ga… TV (ttps://timesofindia.in… Lifestyle (https://timesofi…
Sanjay Dutt (https://time… Coronavirus Vaccine (htt… Push ups-every-day (http…
Longwalks App (https://l… Newspaper Subscription … Food News (https://time…
Post COVID symptoms (h… COVID infectious surface… COVID reinfection (https:…
Times Prime (https://ww… Whats Hot (https://www.…
TRENDING TOPICS
TOP TRENDS
Malaika Arora (https://tim… Kader Khan (https://time… Priyanka Chopra (https://…
IPL Live Score (https://ti… Bihar election 2020 (http… Coronavirus India update…
Vicky-Katrina-Salman (htt… Foreign beauties (https:/… Anushka Sharma (https://…
Coronavirus vaccine (htt… RR vs SRH Live Score (htt… Bihar BJP manifesto 202…
Navratri B-town celebs (h… Salman Khan (https://tim… Suhana Khan (https://tim…
CSK vs MI (https://timeso… Navratri colours 2020 (ht… US Election Debate 2020…
Chiranjeevi Sarja (https://… Hrithik Roshan (https://ti… Rashmika Mandanna (htt…
H1B Visa news (https://ti… US Election Date (https://… 6th Day of Navratri (https:…
OnePlus 8T Launch Upd… Flipkart Quiz (https://tim… Amazon App Quiz (https:…
IPL 2020 Points Table (ht… Dussehra 2020 date (htt… News (https://timesofindi…
Pubg Mobile (https://tim… Pixel 5 Feature (https://ti… Edappadi K Palaniswami (…
MPBSE 10th Supplement… Horoscope today (https:/… Step by Step Pizza Recip…

FOLLOW US ON DOWNLOAD TOI APP

FACEBOOK (HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/TIMESOFINDIA) ANDROID (HTTPS://PLAY.GOOGLE.COM/STORE/APPS/DETAILS?

ID=COM.TOI.READER.ACTIVITIES&UTM_SOURCE=TOINEWHP_TILWIDGET&UTM_MEDIUM=ABTEST&UTM_CAMPAIGN=

TWITTER (HTTPS://TWITTER.COM/TIMESOFINDIA)
IPHONE (HTTPS://ITUNES.APPLE.COM/US/APP/THE-TIMES-OF-INDIA/ID427589329?
UTM_SOURCE=TOINEWHP_TILWIDGET&UTM_MEDIUM=ABTEST&UTM_CAMPAIGN=TOINEWHP")

RSS FEED (HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/RSS.CMS)

BLACKBERRY (HTTP://APPWORLD.BLACKBERRY.COM/WEBSTORE/CONTENT/36532/?
UTM_SOURCE=TOINEWHP_TILWIDGET&UTM_MEDIUM=ABTEST&UTM_CAMPAIGN=TOINEWHP")
YOUTUBE (HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/TIMESOFINDIA)

IPAD (HTTPS://ITUNES.APPLE.COM/US/APP/THE-TIMES-OF-INDIA-FOR-IPAD/ID427164653?
UTM_SOURCE=TOINEWHP_TILWIDGET&UTM_MEDIUM=ABTEST&UTM_CAMPAIGN=TOINEWHP")

WINDOWS PHONE (HTTP://WWW.WINDOWSPHONE.COM/EN-IN/STORE/APP/THE-TIMES-OF-INDIA/26C39C5C-7A5A-4

7C5BD539D4C8?UTM_SOURCE=TOINEWHP_TILWIDGET&UTM_MEDIUM=ABTEST&UTM_CAMPAIGN=TOINEW

About us (http://www.timesinternet.in)
Create Your Own Ad (https://www.ads.timesinternet.in/expresso/selfservice/loginSelfService.htm)
Terms of Use and Grievance Redressal Policy (http://www.indiatimes.com/termsandcondition)
Privacy policy (http://www.indiatimes.com/privacypolicy)Advertise with us (http://advertise.indiatimes.com/)
RSS (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/rss.cms)
Newsletter (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/newsletterhome.cms)
Feedback (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/feedback.cms)ePaper (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/)
Sitemap (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sitemap.cms)
Archives (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/archive.cms)

Copyright © 2020 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-polls-bjp-promise-of-free-covid-vaccine-in-manifesto-stirs-row/articleshow/7881853… 6/7
10/23/2020 Bihar polls: BJP promise of free Covid vaccine in manifesto stirs row | Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 Election News - Times of India

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-polls-bjp-promise-of-free-covid-vaccine-in-manifesto-stirs-row/articleshow/7881853… 7/7