Former Union minister and Congress chief spokesperson Anand Sharma created more than a flutter on Sunday when he hailed the visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to three Indian institutions engaged in developing COVID-19 vaccines.
Anand Sharma tweeted on Sunday, "Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visit to Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadila was a recognition of Indian scientists and their work to produce the vaccine for COVID-19. That alone will lift morale of frontline warriors and reassure the nation."
"Also respecting the institutions that India has built over decades that have expertise and potential, making India world's largest vaccine manufacturer. Urging PM to ensure that an efficient and equitable platform is functional as the vaccine arrives," he wrote in a follow-up tweet.
Anand Sharma's tweets came after Randeep Singh Surjewala, another Congress spokesperson, accused Modi of getting pictures clicked in corporate offices while farmers were protesting on roads of Delhi. "Wish the PM talks to farmers on the road instead of flying in the aircraft," he had said in a tweet, after Modi visited a company in Ahmedabad which is engaged in the COVID-19 vaccine research. “Coronavirus vaccine will be found by scientists, farmers will feed the country and Modi ji and BJPites will handle television," Surjewala had said.
Not surprisingly, Anand Sharma's tweet in praise of Modi gave rise to speculation of the divergence of views in the Congress and perceived leadership vacuum in the main opposition party. Anand Sharma was one of the 23 Congress leaders who had submitted a joint letter in August to party chief Sonia Gandhi to demand reform in the party.
Later on Sunday, Anand Sharma issued a tweet, "Regretting the error in our earlier tweet where the lines got misplaced, resulting in some avoidable confusion..." He deleted the two earlier tweets.
Sharma attached an image of his statement. The statement said, "Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visit to Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadila was a recognition of Indian scientists and their work to produce the vaccine for COVID-19. This is acknowledging and respecting the institutions that India has built over decades that have expertise and potential making India the world's largest vaccine manufacturer. Urging PM to ensure that an efficient and equitable platform is functional as the vaccine arrives. This alone will lift the morale of frontline COVID warriors and reassure the nation (sic).”
Last week, Anand Sharma had defended the other Congress leaders who had sought reform in the party against charges that they did not have a mass political base. Sharma's statements came after Congress MLA from Haryana Kuldeep Bishnoi attacked Ghulam Nabi Azad, highlighting the latter's multiple terms in the Rajya Sabha. Azad is among the most prominent of the 23 leaders.
Anand Sharma pointed out several of the "tallest" leaders of the country were Rajya Sabha members and cited former prime ministers Manmohan Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Indira Gandhi as examples.
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Earlier this month, Sharma had described India's decision of not joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as "unfortunate and ill advised", asserting that it was in the country's strategic and economic interests to be a part of the process of Asia-Pacific integration.
His view was at variance with senior leader Jairam Ramesh and the party which had last year, after India had decided not to join the RCEP, claimed victory.
