Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday asked Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath to concentrate on curbing the spread of coronavirus and providing relief to the patients instead of threatening to arrest people and seize their properties.

In a letter to the chief minister, Priyanka pointed to the spread of virus in the villages which could trigger a far greater tragedy as even the urban health infrastructure had failed to cope.

She contested the chief minister’s claim that there was no shortage of oxygen and hospital beds, asserting that there were tell-tale signs of crisis in the entire state. She also expressed concern at the unavailability of ambulances, slow vaccination drive and loot at the crematoriums.

In her letter, she demanded: “Announcement of financial package for welfare of frontline health workers, reopening of dismantled Covid centres, supply of oxygen on war-footing, re-engagement of retired medical professionals, transparent data on deaths and availability of resources, enhancement of testing facilities, use of anganwadi and Asha workers for distribution of medicine and corona(virus) kit in villages, oxygen storage in every district, financial assistance to poor and intense vaccination drive.”

Priyanka also posted an emotional message for the citizens on Facebook, expressing solidarity with those who lost their relatives and friends or those who were struggling to get treatment. She said: “The government has failed us all. Even those of us who oppose and fight them could not have foreseen a complete abdication of leadership and governance at a time as devastating as this.

“In our hearts, we too are still hoping that they will rise up and take steps that are imperative to save lives. But even though those given the sacred task of governing this nation have let our country down at this time of great crisis, we must not lose hope.”