Kolkata runs dry on vaccines but political activities see a spike in Bengal

BJP, Trinamool Congress’s rallies not only raise political temperature but also risk of COVID-19 infection

The COVID-19 vaccination centres have almost run dry in Kolkata over the past few days, but political activity has witnessed a spike, with major political parties taking out rallies and staging protests in the State. The BJP on Monday evening brought out ‘torch rallies’ from the party headquarters in central Kolkata. Hundreds of its supporters got into a scuffle with the police and many were detained. The Trinamool Congress leadership also brought out rallies on the occasion of Quit India movement, in Kolkata and other parts of the State. Three months after the Assembly polls, the rallies and counter rallies are not only raising the political temperature but also the risk of COVID-19 infection.