The Congress has expressed shock at the BJP and the government’s argument that the foreign aid India has received demonstrates the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting instead that it shows the country had slipped into a crisis because of misgovernance.

Rahul Gandhi on Monday tweeted: “The Government of India’s repeated chest-thumping at receiving foreign aid is pathetic. Had the Government done its job, it wouldn’t have come to this.”

The Congress takes pride in the fact that the Manmohan Singh government did not seek or accept foreign help in times of natural calamities, demonstrating that India could look after its own needs.

Addressing a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) later in the day, interim president Sonia Gandhi said: “Over the past few weeks, the international community has rushed to our assistance. On behalf of the Congress, I wish to thank all countries and organisations who are helping us in so many different ways. That we should be placed in such a position reflects the monumental arrogance, incompetence and vain triumphalism of the ruling establishment.”

The CWC adopted a resolution saying: “The Congress appreciates the assistance that has been offered and given by the international community at this time of national crisis. However, it needs to be said that there is total non-transparency in the distribution and utilisation of these supplies. Our desperate need for assistance is also a sad reflection of the governance and policy failures of the Modi government.”

The resolution added: “The CWC is of the firm belief that this is a time for showing an unwavering sense of national unity, purpose and resolve. In order that it may become a reality, the Prime Minister must atone for his mistakes and commit to serving the people instead of carrying on with personal agenda, oblivious to the suffering all around.”

What it meant by “personal agenda” can be gauged by this argument in the resolution: “The CWC expresses its revulsion at the shocking expenditure priorities of the Modi government. At a time when the nation’s resources should be devoted to ensuring expansion of vaccination coverage and supply of essential medicines and oxygen, the Modi government is indulging in criminal waste of money by continuing with the personal vanity project of the Prime Minister in the national capital. This is the height of callousness and insensitivity as also an insult to the people of the country.”

Sonia also obliquely referred to the Central Vista project in her opening remarks while talking about the vaccination policy and differential pricing. She said: “Every expert has said that it would have made more sense and it would have been financially more equitable for the Centre to bear the costs. But we know the Modi government has other priorities, pursuing grandiose projects against the force of public opinion and the face of widespread criticism. It is also a shame that the central government continues to discriminate against Opposition-ruled states.”

The Congress leadership is aghast at the government’s plea before the Supreme Court, defending its vaccination policy. The party’s communications chief, Randeep Surjewala, said: “It is a deceptive stance. It should be rejected with the contempt it deserves. How can any sane person accept three prices for the same vaccines — one for the Centre, one for the state and one for the private hospitals, and two prices for the vaccines by two manufacturers?”

On the government’s argument on Manmohan Singh’s suggestion for invoking compulsory licensing — that the use of statutory power under Patents Act at this stage can be counter-productive — former Union minister Jairam Ramesh tweeted: “This is not true and a pathetic copout. In Geneva at the WTO, Modi Government tells the world Patents of Covid-19 vaccines must be waived. But it takes a completely different stance in the Supreme Court in New Delhi. Sheer hypocrisy and moral bankruptcy.”

Describing the Covid-19 situation as an unprecedented health crisis, the CWC resolution said: “The second wave is nothing short of a grave calamity and a direct consequence of the Modi government’s indifference, insensitivity and incompetence. It is the direct result of the central government’s wilful disregard of scientific advice, its premature declaration of victory, and its unwillingness and inability to plan in advance in spite of warnings sounded not only by public health experts but also by the standing committee of Parliament concerned.”

Expressing shock at the vaccine shortage, the resolution pointed out that the mandatory registration for 18-44 age group was discriminatory against the poor and the underprivileged.

Rahul tweeted: “A message for app-dependent Modi Government: Corona is unfortunately affecting even those who don’t have Internet facility, which means half of the country’s population. Give vaccine, Arogya Setu and No-Win (pun on Co-Win) Apps can’t save them.”

The CWC also expressed grave concern at the spread of virus in rural areas and the tendency to conceal and manipulate infection and death data. Sonia blamed the government’s refusal to accept scientific advice for which the country was paying a horrendous price, along with Modi government’s “wilful patronage of super-spreader events that were allowed for partisan gains”.