There is no doubt that Mr Modi and his government have been found wanting in the run up to the recent uncontrollable spike in the COVID-19 infections across the country because of the second wave. This is not to say that state governments have acquitted themselves well. In fact, their performance and response has been even more pathetic at the ground level that has resulted in many deaths and misery for the common citizens. The states just did not get their act together to provide basic medical facilities that were the need of the hour at the micro level. The failure of the central government is more at the macro level as they failed to take some timely and correct decisions in the interest of the nation. Today, the whole issue of COVID-19 is highly politicised and any decisions that are taken by the central or state governments are laced with political overtones –this is a sad commentary on our governance and political leadership.
One can be sure that there is no dearth of advisers to the Prime Minister. The question is are they the right people who have the best interests of the nation at heart? Has Mr Modi failed to deliver at the macro level because of the advice that he received or was it because of the advice that he ignored? As a common man it will be difficult to find an answer to this question, so either way the buck has to stop at the Prime Minister.
The most important macro issue in the fight against Coronavirus is the vaccination programme. On 20 October 2020, in his address to the nation he said, "In India too we are working on COVID-19 vaccine, some are in advanced stage. And as and when it comes, we are working on a plan to reach every household as fast as we can." On 26 October, 2020 during Bihar elections the Prime Minister made a commitment of free vaccine for all people in the state in one of his rallies. A few days later Union Minister Pratap Sarangi clarified that all people of the country will be given free vaccine. More recently free vaccine has been promised in West Bengal by BJP. There are no two opinions on the need for vaccine to be free. Central government should have decided this as a policy instead of making it part of political rhetoric from time to time.