COVID-19 lockdown a "failure", claims Congress veteran Tarun Gogoi

Guwahati: Tarun Gogoi, 3-time former Chief Minister of Assam and veteran Congressman has claimed that the extended lockdown that has been called to contain the COVID-19 has not done anything to alleviate the sufferings of the masses.

Tarun Gogoi said that to keep the COVID-19 at bay, strict compliance of the COVID-19 protocols must be observed by the citizens. "Wearing masks must be made mandatory. Social distancing must be maintained. The hotspot areas must be properly managed. The lockdown has already proved counter-productive", said Gogoi.

The veteran said that the lockdown has not solved any of the issues posited by the COVID-19 situation and said that "it also leads to hardships and suffering of the vulnerable sections of society." "The lockdown has failed on two fronts – firstly, in checking the coronavirus. And secondly, it has led to the miseries of the vulnerable sections", Gogoi charged.

Taking a swipe at the opposition BJP party, Gogoi said that they have brought about the "worst days", in direct contrast of their promise to usher in achche din. "All sections of the people are suffering. Not only the poor are suffering – even the middle classes and the upper-middle classes have been failed by the ruling party. Only about 10% of rich people have been benefitted by the BJP Government that has firmly lodged itself at the Centre. The economy has nosedived in a drastic manner and the prices of commodities have gone unchecked, they have even failed in checking the rampage of the COVID-19. The Government has also failed to implement its own COVID protocol", lamented Gogoi.

Gogoi also admitted that the Grand Old Party does not have a significant role to play in the upcoming polls in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD). "It is true that we do not have a good organizational structure there, which is why we are only contesting a few of the seats."

Gogoi also took potshots at the Government for its handling of the flood situation and claimed that all the Congress MLAs and MPs have not received "publicity" for providing relief to the people. "Whereas, you can see the BJP MLAs and MPs winning plaudits for their work", the veteran politician pointed out.

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