In Maharashtra, MVA and BJP trade blame over vaccine supply

The row between the Centre and the Maharashtra government over COVID-19 vaccine roll-out has turned into a full-blown slanging match between the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the Bharatiya Ja

The row between the Centre and the Maharashtra government over COVID-19 vaccine roll-out has turned into a full-blown slanging match between the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik on Thursday alleging that the French Embassy in India had procured the Moderna vaccine and that it was being administered to its nationals in Navi Mumbai despite only three other vaccines being permitted in the country. Mr. Malik, the State Minority Affairs Minister, sought to know from the Centre how a ‘non-permitted’ vaccine is allowed to be administered to the residents of France and their relatives living here. “Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V are the 3 vaccines that are permitted in India by our government. According to information received by me, the French Embassy in India has procured the [Moderna] vaccine and is inoculating their citizens and their relatives at Navi Mumbai with the help of Apollo Hospitals, Mumbai. The question arises, how can a non-permitted vaccine be allowed to be administered?” Mr. Malik said on Twitter.