The Congress believes the Narendra Modi government completely failed in understanding the nature of the pandemic, planning for the future and, worse, in providing a leadership role when the crisis spun out of control, leaving millions to fend for themselves.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Congress leader Sachin Pilot said: “It is obvious there was no planning, no road map for future. The central government went into celebration mode instead of preparing for the second wave that experts had predicted. Three-four months were wasted before the second wave hit hard in March-April, the critical time that the government should have used in planning and preparedness and logistics. Nothing manifests that failure more than the oxygen crisis.”

Pilot said: “We see panic everywhere; tragic scenes of people crying for oxygen, patients dying outside hospitals, are seen in so many states. We cannot allow India to become a battlefield for oxygen and remdesivir. That is unfortunately happening, we are seeing black marketing, profiteering, peddling of fake medicines, hoarding. And now the Centre says health is a state subject. Instead of taking everybody along, in reassuring the nation showing sincerity of purpose, the Prime Minister is running away from leadership role.”

He pointed out how the Centre took charge under the Disaster Management Act, deciding every minute detail — from imposing lockdown to vaccination scheduling — and is now blaming the states.

“Was there any consultation with the states, discussing ways to counter the second wave? When the crisis acquired dreadful dimensions and a full-blown national emergency hit us, what is the purpose of saying health is a state subject? Why is the Prime Minister not leading from the front? Why has the army not been drafted into crisis management? Why has there been no clear-cut action plan for vaccination, distribution of resources and logistics of oxygen supply?” he asked.

Suggesting a well-defined formula for allocation of oxygen, medicine and vaccines, Pilot said: “The government should have nationwide data in hand and the parameters for distribution of resources should be defined. There are allegations of discrimination by states because there is no transparent formula for allocations. A clear framework with three-four parameters like number of active cases, positivity rate, mortality rate, number of beds required, need for ventilators and oxygen. There should be a basis for distribution. At present, there is no transparency; states which face greater emergency are not getting priority.”

The former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan added: “States which manufacture oxygen may not need it as much as those that don’t. What is happening now is that states are inclined to fortify borders as opposed to facilitate passage of oxygen containers. This is not how things should work in a federal structure.”

He said even on the vaccine pricing front, the Centre abdicated its responsibility. “We cannot leave it to companies to decide on the pricing of life-saving vaccines, keeping margins and profits as criteria. How can the Centre negotiate a price for itself and let the company deal with states differently? What was the motive? As a country, we are in desperate need of vaccination…. Unless two-thirds of our country is vaccinated in the next few weeks and months, we will not be able to break the chain of the virus. It was the Centre’s responsibility to lay out the road map and make arrangements for vaccines.”

He added: “Everyone is of the opinion that there should be uniform pricing but I wish to go a step further — the pricing itself cannot be left just to the manufacturing companies. If the government can put price caps on things like airfare between two cities, have MRP on so many products, then why can’t it decide on life-saving vaccines? There is definitely a failure of a clear road map and in terms of adequate forward planning, logistical arrangements and not prioritising health and safety before religious and political congregations. In hindsight, allowing the export of oxygen and vaccines has proven costly.”