New Delhi, March 24 After Rahul Gandhi made a sharp attack on the Modi government for allegedly not procuring enough protective equipment for health workers, BJP'S Amit Malviya hit back at him, alleging the former Congress chief was "missing the opportunity to loot the exchequer".
Taking to Twitter, BJP's national social media cell chief said: "Congress's allegations that India didn't have enough Protective Personal Equipment [PPE] in time is completely bogus. Perhaps they are missing the opportunity to loot the exchequer."
He also targetted Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra.
Earlier, in another tweet, Malviya said: "WHO advisory, dated 27Feb, 'healthcare workers who are involved in direct care of Covid patients need to use PPE'. India had imported 21,000 coveralls in 1st week of Feb and another 30,000 in 1st week of Mar. Besides we have indigenous capacity to produce 35,000 suits per week."
BJP sources also claimed that in a record time of 20 days, some manufacturers have successfully passed the required tests and are in a position to supply nearly 35,000 pieces per week.
This counter assault comes in the wake of Gandhi alleging: "I am feeling sad, because this was completely avoidable. We had time to prepare. We should have taken this threat much more seriously and have been much better prepared.". He quoted a Haryana doctor who expressed frustration at non-availability of N95 masks and gloves. However, the doctor later clarified that he wasn't fully aware of the situation and called it "misinformation".
( With inputs from IANS )