P. Sarojini
Kochi, Kerala (CWBN)_ Following the announcement of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that free COVID-19 vaccine will be provided to the people of Kerala, the Congress-led Unified Democratic Front in Kerala wrote to the State Election Commission charging that the declaration of the free distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a press meet on Saturday allegedly breached the code of conduct during the election.
MM Hassan, the United Democratic Front Convenor, took this issue and wrote to the State Election Commissioner V Bhaskaran. He wrote, “Chief Minister’s announcement of free COVID-19 vaccine distribution is a violation of the model code of conduct as elections are underway. Announcement was made by the Chief Minister during last day of campaigning for third phase of the local body elections to influence voters”. UDF demanded action against Mr Vijayan for alleged breach of the Code of Ethics.
Kerala’s ruling coalition, the Left Democratic Front, responded to the vaccination announcement by the Chief Minister. A Vijayraghavan, LDF convener and general secretary of Communist Party of India said, “Kerala Chief Minister’s response was obvious when media people asked him questions on vaccine”.
During a press meet on Saturday, while answering to a reporter’s query, the Chief Minister said that the vaccine for COVID-19 in Kerala would not be charged and would be administered free of charge. Mr Vijayan’s announcement is as follows: “This (COVID-19 vaccination) is an important issue. This is one thing a majority of people are thinking now. There needn’t be any doubt. While the extent of the availability of the vaccine for people in Kerala is an issue that needs to be looked into, but available vaccine will be provided for free. The government does not intend to take money for that (vaccination) from anyone. We will take steps for free distribution”.
In Kerala, the three-phase local body election is ongoing, with the last phase taking place on Monday and counting will be done on 16 December. It was considered the last show of strength for political parties prior to the next year’s assembly election.
