Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, May 26: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has yet again landed himself in a tight spot, and this time for promoting paid Covid vaccination drive. While the public is demanding to have free vaccines, Surya has publicly batted for private hospitals and asked the citizens to pay and get vaccinated. The strong criticism received for the MP's initiative resulted in the cancellation of the vaccine drive altogether.
The banners in which MP Tejasvi Surya had asked people to get vaccinated by paying money were displayed on Jayanagar grounds here. On the poster, it was written that the programme is supported by the office of MP Tejasvi Surya. Banners advertising that vaccines are available for Rs 900 at Vasavi hospital were displayed on Shalin grounds. This had attracted the rage of netizens on social media.
Several social media users expressed their fury over the BJP MP's initiative and urged the state government to stop politicising the matter when the public is facing a dearth of vaccines. They have also questioned Surya as to how was he supporting the vaccine campaign of a private hospital when there are no vaccines available.
A person by the name of Bhushan had tweeted saying, “At Shalini grounds, Vasavi hospital vaccinating public by taking Rs 900. The credit for the entire programme has been assumed by BLR South MP@Tejasvi Surya. When there is no vaccine @BBMP how can an MP promote private hospital? How much commission is he getting? Vasavi should show procurement invoice.”
Youth Congress leader Srivatsa tweeted, “When BJP MPs like Tejasvi Surya can tie-up with private hospitals and charge Rs 900 per dose, why is the government not allowing Congress MPs, MLAs to procure vaccines using MP/MPLADS and party funds amounting to Rs 100 crore to give vaccination for free? Why this bias?”