Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis Monday was sharply criticised after photos of his 22-year-old nephew getting a Covid-19 vaccine jab that went viral on social media.
Tanmay Fadnavis in an Instagram post shared a photo of him getting the vaccine shot, which has triggered a political controversy. Reportedly, Tanmay has received both doses of the vaccine, one in Mumbai and the other one at the National Cancer Institute in Nagpur. After the photos went viral, several political leaders have questioned how the 22-year-old got the vaccine since only frontline or health care workers and those above the age those over the age of 45 are eligible to receive the doses.
Presently, only those 45 years of age are eligible to be administered with covid-19 vaccine under nationwide inoculation drive.
Attacking Fadnavis, Youth Congress leader Srivatsa questioned how his only 22-year-old nephew got the vaccine as only frontline or healthcare workers, and those over the age of 45 are eligible to receive the doses.
“Dear @Dev_Fadnavis, is your Nephew Tanmay Fadnavis 45+ years old? If not, how is he eligible for taking the Vaccine? Just like Remdesivir, are you hoarding Vaccines & giving it to your family members? People are dying. There is a Vaccine Shortage. But Fadnavis' family is Safe,” he wrote in a tweet.
Srivatsa has also requested Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to arrest Tanmay and asked PM Modi under what law the families of BJP leaders are getting Covid vaccination when they are still below 45 years of age.
In another tweet, he wrote, “Modiji, under what law are the families of BJP leaders getting Vaccines when they are still below 45 years of age? Tanmay Fadnavis has committed a crime & must be immediately arrested. Fraud Fadnavis has been caught again. People of Maharashtra are seeing what a traitor he is.”
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Demanding an inquiry into the matter, Congress leader and Maharashtra minister Nitin Raut said, “When eligible persons (45+) are struggling for vaccination, how can a relative of a BJP leader who is barely 22 years old get it.” He has also asked for stern charges for the person involved in such “favouritism” and be booked.
On Monday, the Central government announced that all persons above 18 years of age will be eligible to get the coronavirus vaccine doses from May 1.