Covid protocols go for a toss in Kerala as election heat catches up

Political demonstrations ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls continue to ignore Covid-19 protocols in Kerala even as the state continues to have the highest number of daily fresh positive cases as well as positivity rate.

While the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front is accusing the opposition parties of conducting political shows like marches and public meetings by flouting social distancing norms, district level adalats being organised by the state government to address grievances of the people ahead of the polls were also witnessing huge crowds flouting social distancing norms. Interestingly an adalat headed by Health Minister K K Shailaja in Kannur district on Thursday was also not different.

Though Kerala Chief Minister recently said that enforcement against flouting of Covid norms would be made stringent again, there are allegations that the enforcements were being made stringent only against the opposition parties. Cases were registered against Congress workers in connection with an ongoing political march led by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, while no action is being taken against flouting of social distancing at the government’s adalat.

Even as BJP national president J P Nadda, who came down to Kerala on a two-day tour on Wednesday and Thursday to initiate discussions on election strategies, strongly flayed Kerala government for the Covid spike. At the receptions being accorded to Nadda were also witnessing crowds, ignoring social distancing norms.

Kerala is close to 70,000 Covid active cases as of now, which is the highest in the country. The daily number of fresh cases in Kerala is also in the range of 5,000 to 6,000 and the positivity rate remains at 11 per cent. The Centre has deputed teams to Kerala to review the situation.