1620829829.jpg)
It appears the YSR Congress party leaders are trying to corner Telugu Desam Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on the vaccine shortage in the state by linking him with Bharat Biotech promoter Krishna Yella.
Krishna Yella is related to Eenadu group chairman Ch Ramoji Rao, whose granddaughter Sahari is married to Krishna Yella’s son Raches Veerendra.
Since Ramoji Rao is considered to be “Raja Guru” of TDP and his Eenadu daily is believed to be pro-Naidu, the YSRC leaders have started linking the vaccine making company to the TDP chief.
Bharat Biotech, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Virology, has developed Covaxin, at its BSL-3 (Bio-Safety Level 3) high containment facility in Hyderabad and has been supplying to 14 states in the country including Andhra Pradesh.
For the last two days, Jagan and his cabinet colleagues have been saying that Bharat Biotech has not been able to supply enough Covaxin to the state.
On Tuesday, Jagan wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention in Bharat Biotech transferring its vaccine making technology to other pharma companies.
On Wednesday, two other ministers took pot shots at Naidu, linking him with Bharat Biotech promoters – obviously because both belong to the same caste.
“It is true that the company has not able to meet the demand for vaccine. Since Naidu has relationship with the Bharat Biotech, he should use his influence in securing more vaccine quota to Andhra Pradesh. We don’t mind taking Naidu’s help,” state health minister Alla Nani said.
State irrigation minister P Anil Kumar Yadav, too, made a similar demand.
“The vaccine is being manufactured by Ramoji Rao’s close relative. Since Ramoji Rao is closer to Chandrababu Naidu, he should come forward to prevail upon the company to supply additional vaccine to the state. We are ready to purchase it at any cost,” Anil said.
