SHILLONG, April 20: Practice what you preach — the popular saying fits in perfectly in the present context in Meghalaya with Health Minister AL Hek on Tuesday blaming the politicians of the state for equally contributing to the spike in COVID-19 cases.
“Why blame the public? We politicians who are holding big rallies are part of contributing factors to the spike in the state,” Hek said while replying to a query on the contributing factors.
Admitting that the public also did not follow the protocols and now the cases are rapidly increasing, the Health Minister said, “When we are holding political rallies with thousands of people attending the same we are contributing to the spike and we also have to be strict with ourselves before advising the public.”
Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong however refused to acknowledge that electioneering and GHADC polls have led to the surge in COVID cases.
When asked if he would hold political leaders responsible the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Deputy CM refused to blame the election campaign in Garo Hills for the surge.
Tynsong counter questioned how electioneering in Garo Hills could be blamed for the surge in COVID cases in Shillong.
Informing that maximum number of COVID cases are returnees, he said that blaming the leaders of the state for the surge is totally wrong.
Stating that the state is preparing for two by-polls, Tynsong said that the government will ensure that is it able to contain the virus as much as possible.
The Garo Hills region had witnessed huge political rallies and campaigns in the run up to the GHADC polls.
Images and videos of the rallies clearly showed violation of basic protocols like social distancing and wearing masks inviting criticism from various quarters.
The Opposition Congress too had slammed Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma for organising massive rallies and concerts to woo voters ahead of the GHADC elections by allegedly ignoring COVID-19 protocols.
