After two days Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing certain conditions in the Centre’s new Covid-19 vaccine administration policy and demanding free vaccines for the states, a social media campaign has begun to take form, seeking donations to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) to cover the cost of vaccine shots.
The campaign is mainly being started by Left-affiliated groups with hashtags such as “Stand with Kerala’’, “CMDRF challenge’’ and “Donate for vaccine.”
It was informed to the told reporters that the CMDRF account on Thursday got Rs 22 lakh as contributions from those who had taken the vaccine.
“This is the specialty of this state. Till 4.30 pm, the CMDRF got Rs 22 lakh as contribution from those who had taken the vaccine,” he said. “It shows the attitude of the people to stand with the government in a critical juncture. This gesture from the people gives much strength to the government.”
Giving a contribution to the CMDRF for the vaccine, a person declaring to be working in the UAE, wrote on his Facebook page: “UAE gave me two vaccine shots free of cost. Hence, I am donating the amount required for vaccinating two people in Kerala to CMDRF.”
Another person wrote, “Myself and family will get free vaccination from Saudi Arabia. I am contributing the equivalent amount of my family’s vaccination to CMDRF Kerala. We will overcome this situation together.’’ Those who contributed to the CMDRF as part of the campaign shared screenshots of the donations.
One of the reasons that are clearly helping the campaign pick pace is the criticism of the Kerala government by BJP leader and Union Minister V Muraleedharan for writing to the Prime Minister on vaccines.
Relating to the Chief Minister’s letter to the Prime Minister, Muraleedharan said Kerala should buy the vaccine instead of waiting for the quota from the Centre. He rebuked the state for generating unnecessary fear among the people by raising the vaccine shortage, which, according to him, did not really exist. “Anarchy prevailed at vaccination centres in Kerala,’’ Muraleedharan said.
The ruling CPI (M) has crashed Muraleedharan, saying he was abusing the people who were facing vaccine shortage.
On Wednesday, Kerala declared that the state would give free vaccines to all eligible people.
Post Your Comments