Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Murshidabad's Behrampore, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, on Monday evening reportedly made an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a temporary 500-bed Covid hospital in Behrampore by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and was assured prompt action.

Chowdhury was at a mandatory meeting with Modi and Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana in order to deliberate on the selection of the next CBI chief. The meeting took place at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, in Delhi.

"Murshidabad is a poor district that needs a lot more government health infrastructure. Our population is exceeding 80 lakh," he told this newspaper on Tuesday.

"I told him (the Prime Minister) that Covid is still not over and that phase three will be more brutal. He said he will try his best and utilise funds from the PMCares resources," the fivetime MP added.

Chowdhury also explained that his suggestion was in tandem with the DRDO's recent completion of a 500-bed temporary Covid facility in Delhi.

He had also written to Modi dated May 21 demanding the Covid facility, he added.

Murshidabad has prior connections to the defence dispensation by way of being the birthplace of former defence minister and former President of India, late Pranab Mukherjee.