UP govt covering up number of COVID infections: Shahnawaz Alam, head of Minority Cell, UP Congress

In an interview to National Herald, Shahnawaz Alam, head of Minority Cell, UP Congress, has asserted that the state government is covering up the exact number of people infected by Coronavirus in the state. The govt is indulging in gross mismanagement, he said.

Shahnawaz Alam was in Shamli, a small town 60 kms away from Meerut when he spoke with us.

Shahnawaz Alam said that people in small towns and villages in the state are in urgent need of medical assistance. While most people may be aware of the inefficiency of the government in big towns, the massive crisis in other places finds no mention in the media, he said.

He accused the media of covering up the ground reality and failing to represent the people of India living beyond big cities.

When probed a little further about the topic, Alam said, "The burning of many pyres is a grim scene. However, the media urgently needs to look at serious patients not getting admission in hospitals. The everyday small struggle of an unwell person is the most important story that shouldn't be missed."

He counter questioned us, "Why should we wait to report deaths? Why not act before that?”

Considering that the Covid situation in Uttar Pradesh needs work on a war footing, we asked Alam if all party meetings were regularly happening in the state. Was the government engaging with members of the opposition? Were all political parties working together in fighting with this crisis? Were schools, colleges, stadiums being converted into hospitals? Were retired doctors, nurses and health workers asked to join service for the second wave?

Shahnawaz Alam, a senior opposition leader of Uttar Pradesh, answered all our questions. Watch the video for his interview.