‘Hollow on Specifics’: Cong Leaders Slam PM Modi’s Lockdown Speech

In an address to the nation on Tuesday, PM Modi announced that the lockdown will be extended till 3 May.

(Photo: PTI/Twitter/Altered by The Quint)

Congress leaders on Tuesday, 14 April, criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government after the PM’s address to the nation where he announced that the lockdown across the country will be extended till 3 May to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the PM's address was like Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark.

"Amazing PM address. Exhortation, rhetoric, inspiration.....yet hollow on specifics! No financial package, no details, no concrete item. Neither for poor nor middle class nor industry nor businesses. Lockdown is good but cannot be end in itself! Where is single livelihood issue [sic]," he asked.

He said the PM can be assured that all stakeholders will do their duties and will strictly observe lockdown.

"After this: should we pray? We want concrete palliatives for these deprived classes and even for middle india and MSMEs [sic]," he said.

‘Cry, My Beloved Country’

Meanwhile, senior party leader P Chidambaram, while supporting the decision to extend the lockdown, remarked that the "livelihood for the poor – their survival – is not among the priorities of the government."

Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, too, supported the announcement of lockdown extension by PM Modi, but added that "he should have also announced serious relief for those who cannot make ends meet."

Meanwhile, former Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said that while the PM told people what he expects of them, he did not spell out what his government is doing for the people.

“The PM has not talked about the plight of migrant workers quarantined at state borders and what the government intends to do about them... (He) did not talk about scaling up mass testing. What is the government’s strategy on ramping up testing in country?”

Congress leader Manish Tewari, as quoted by PTI

In an address to the nation at 10 am on Tuesday, PM Modi announced that the lockdown across the country will be extended till 3 May to fight the coronavirus pandemic, saying the measure has produced a significant outcome in containing the infection.

PM Failed to Address Economic Concerns: Sena-NCP

The Shiv Sena and NCP was also critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on Tuesday. The party said the address lacked substance as he did not suggest ways to strengthen the economy or a relief package for the poor and those worst hit by the lockdown.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande also took a dig at the prime minister, saying he thankfully did not give any activity to people this time like clanging utensils or lighting lamps.

“His speech normally is more of a rhetoric than substance. Thankfully, he did not give any other event to the people like lighting up lamps or clanging utensils. There was nothing substantial (in the address), the only takeaway was that the lockdown has been extended.”

Manisha Kayande, Shiv Sena spokesperson

"He could have elaborated steps to be taken to tackle the coronavirus, relaxing restrictions on movements in different areas (depending upon threat posed by the disease)," she said.

Maharashtra Minister and NCP national spokesman Nawab Malik noted that Modi talked about helping the poor.

“But, he could have announced a package on behalf of the central government to help the poor, those working in the unorganised sector who are the worst hit due to the lockdown. There was no mention of it anywhere.”

Nawab Malik, NCP national spokesman 

Another NCP spokesman Mahesh Tapase said it was expected that the prime minister would address the economic concerns being faced by the country.

Another NCP spokesman Mahesh Tapase said it was expected that the prime minister would address the economic concerns being faced by the country.

“The least to expect was the announcement of a slew of measures to kick-start the economy in a phased manner as and when the restrictions are lifted.”

Mahesh Tapase, NCP spokesman

Tapase said the employers and employees wanted to know from the government how recession and unemployment will be tackled in the time to come.

Centre Must Ensure No Starvation Deaths: CPI(M)

Meanwhile, the CPI(M) on Tuesday said the extended lockdown would further increase the sufferings of the poor and marginalised and accused the government of not laying down any concrete plans for this duration.

"The experience of the three-week lockdown has shown the large-scale spread of hunger and inadequate shelter for a significant section of our people,” the party said in a statement.

“It is imperative that the government must immediately implement a Rs. 7500 ex-gratia cash transfer to all non-Income Tax paying families and resort to universal distribution of free foodgrains to all needy people. The central government must ensure that no starvation deaths occur.”

CPI(M) in their statement

It further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not lay down any plan of action that would be implemented during the lockdown.

“The prime minister listed seven tasks that the people should implement during the extended lockdown. However, he did not spell out concretely what the government will do.”

CPI(M) in their statement

No ‘Relief’ to People on Economic Front: DMK

The opposition DMK in Tamil Nadu also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the people on the extension of the national lackdown lacked any announcements that would bring 'relief' to them on the economic front.

“The PM's address on Tuesday has turned out to be an awareness with his seven-point advice to the people,” DMK President MK Stalin said.

“At the same time, people of the country don’t expect just advice from him (but) relief assistance that would enable their survival, help in kind and cash.”

MK Stalin, DMK President

"No such announcements were there in the PM's addresses so far, and not today as well," the state Leader of Opposition said.

“While people will protect themselves from the spread of the disease, the government should have announced its economic plans to safeguard them,” he said.

Meanwhile, BJP ally PMK welcomed the extension of the lockdown.

Party's Youth Wing leader and Rajya Sabha member Anbumani Ramadoss said the move was taken with the aim of protecting people and therefore a welcome one.

“With the spread of coronavirus showing no signs of abating in Tamil Nadu, the extension of the lockdown in inevitable,” he said in a statement.