Vax centre politics is new low, time to shun pettiness

The mint new centre was inaugurated by a local BJP MLA. Pic/Anurag Ahire

In these most challenging of times, we see political parties hindering and not helping the Covid effort, through their verbal and at times, physical slugfests.

This edit space has already shone the spotlight on the price the citizens are paying because of the intense acrimony between the Maharashtra government and the Centre. Even though people are familiar with political games and shenanigans and they are not naïve to think that parties will not try to take advantage of situations to bring the other down, the tussle has reached a new level altogether. It is directly impacting the common men's lives, where people need assurance not enmity which is inimical to the larger cause - fighting the pandemic.

On the local level, it is vaccination centre politics that is now trying weary citizens. Workers belonging to the Shiv Sena and BJP got into a scuffle at a drive-in vaccination centre in the Western suburbs.

The mint new centre was inaugurated by a local BJP MLA. Then, Shiv Sena's BMC Health Committee chairperson showed up and tension started to rise. There was even a scuffle, which is shocking in these days when local political representatives are exhorting people to socially distance and practise discipline.

We have had reports of political party leaders trying to snatch the credit if one could call it that, of starting vaccination centres.

Instead, help frantic and desperate persons get slots. See that queues are maintained at centres, so that citizens coming for vaccines are not inconvenienced. Ensure all protocols are followed. Help seniors who can be intimidated by the digital process. End immature acrimony which has unfortunately been your hallmark, and replace that with maturity and accountability. Citizens are awaiting that as eagerly as their vaccination appointment slots.