Rahul Gandhi labels SII's Adar Poonawalla as 'Modi's friend'; adds crony angle to vaccines

After accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government of working only for businessmen like Mukesh Ambani and ani for years, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took to his Twitter handle and alleged 'vaccine discrimination' across country. While sharing Serum Institute of India (SII) media statement, Rahul Gandhi in a tweet targetted SII's ar Poonawalla and said that pandemic crisis is an opportunity for Prime Minister's friends. He wrote, "Disaster of country is an opportunity for PM Modi's friends. injustice of central government."

Rahul Gandhi calls SII's ar Poonawalla PM Modi's friend

In his latest attack on PM Modi, Congress leer has now labelled ar Poonawalla as "Modi's friend". By attaching Serum Institute of India's COVID vaccine rates for state government and private hospitals announced by company, Rahul Gandhi claimed that Centre is supporting a few companies amid pandemic to "earn profits". 

Re circular issued by SII here:

Prior to this, Rahul Gandhi h attacked PM Modi with his old allegation of wanting to sell country to a few industrialists. However, this time, he has ded ar Poonawalla to ani-Ambani list. se remarks from Rahul Gandhi came after central government liberalized sale of COVID vaccine in phase 3 of vaccination drive to boost inoculation process, making it available for all from May 1 and paving way for states and private stakeholders to purchase and distribute. 

India is currently running largest vaccination drive with a total of over 13 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine ministered as of Monday and 17.5 million people fully vaccinated. government has ditionally extended support to manufacturers to ramp up production and plans to invite new players at domestic and international levels.

COVID-19 situation in India

As world continues to grapple with COVID-19 pandemic, India so far has recorded over 1,56,16,130 positive cases, out of which, 1,32,76,039 have successfully recovered, while 1,82,553 have died. As per latest reports from MoHFW, in past 24 hours, 2,95,041 new cases, 1,67,457 fresh recoveries and 2,023 deaths have been reported. Currently, total number of active cases in country is 21,57,538. Rahul Gandhi is himself currently stricken by COVID.

(Image: PTI, Twitter- ar Poonawalla, SII)