The entire world is desperately waiting for a vaccine for Coronavirus, that's the only thing we've been dreaming about ever since the pandemic started. 

And, we also realize that whenever the vaccine actually comes, it will probably take years to vaccinate the entire population of the world against Covid-19.

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Moreover, we don't know how much the vaccine will cost and since it would be in such high demand, people who can afford to pay more money will do anything to get first in line for it. 

To avoid such situations, we were hoping different governments would offer free vaccines for the people of their country.

But not in India, apparently. Only the state of Bihar is being promised free Covid vaccine, whenever it comes. 

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Yes, that's a promise made by none other than Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Oh, on an unrelated note, did you guys know Bihar elections are coming. Hmm, what a coincidence.

As soon as #COVID19 vaccine will be available for production at a mass scale, every person in Bihar will get free vaccination. This is the first promise mentioned in our poll manifesto: Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the launch of BJP Manifesto for #BiharPolls pic.twitter.com/x4VjVmkA3Q

— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2020

Of course, promising a vaccine for a virus that has killed more people than we can count and has turned literally every single person's life upside down during an election is shady, at best, and manipulative, at worst.

The politicization of a vaccine in a pandemic is the last thing we need and let's just say that BJP could not have gotten into a worse soup than this right now.

© Reuters

Moreover, what about the rest of the country? Will everyone have to wait till the 2024 elections to get the 'free vaccine' because it would serve the political interest of a certain party? At this point, I really wouldn't be surprised.

No power, no vaccine.

Politicisation of vaccine!
Centre has not yet said that the vaccine will be free for all Indians but for Bihar they are promising it free for all just because they've polls. This is very unfortunate. What if Bihar don't vote BJP? Will they not get it free then? Non sense!

— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) October 22, 2020

It's shameful.

The shame-facedness of the BJP has crossed all boundaries. Getting a Covid vaccine for all citizens of India at the earliest is the primary responsibility of the Government. To use it as a manifesto promise for people going to the polls is the lowest they can fall to! @INCIndia https://t.co/6dL3uTc1QD

— Adarsh Shastri (@adarshshastri) October 22, 2020

Election aane do, paap dhul jaayege.

baaki states waalo ne kya paap kiye hain ?

— chacha lame monk (Halla Bol) (@oldschoolmonk) October 22, 2020 Important question.

What about non-BJP ruled states?

Indians who didn't vote BJP will not get free Covid vaccine? https://t.co/kjid5IC5aH

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) October 22, 2020 Just do something about the economy, please.

Don't know what's more tragic;
1. Desperate politisization of a vaccine before elections
2. Despite an economy in ruins, a finance minister is busy with jumlas https://t.co/yvE8fgLO8l

— Akash Banerjee (@TheDeshBhakt) October 22, 2020 Hmm.

Offer of empty packages are over therefore grasp on to vaccine.

— Satish Kapur (@SatishKapur4) October 22, 2020 Exactly.

Is this a promise or a veiled threat? Ministers cannot use health services due to every citizen for partisan party politics at election time. Whether Bihar votes @BJP4India or not, all citizens must have equal access to #COVID vaccine. #vaccinepolitics #BiharElections2020 https://t.co/R6zyL1PU0S

— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) October 22, 2020 Apparently.

So other states will have to wait till Lok Sabha polls or respective State polls? https://t.co/FX2qHnwDI4

— Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) October 22, 2020 Wow.

So the state facing elections will get vaccine first, Wow!! Such fake electoral promises only makes BJP to survive till now. They would do or say anything to gain a victory. Shameless!!#BJPFailshttps://t.co/NmKZpuYo99

— Alex Peter (@alexpeter181) October 22, 2020 Nice.

So what the good madam is saying is only Bihar will get free vaccination and probably be the first to be given (mark the word 'as soon as available') and rest of India will have to wait & pay for it. Nice.

— Ved Nayak (@catcheronthesly) October 22, 2020 Extremely important point.

Does it mean it will be free only in BJP ruled or poll bound states? Couldn’t provide free trains in time for migrant workers returning home in panic, but now they are VVIPs. https://t.co/R0F3A39j66

— K. C. Singh (@ambkcsingh) October 22, 2020 Probably.

How sick can this govt get ? So if they dont vote for the BJP, Biharis wont have access to the vaccine ? https://t.co/SyKJPwvEJd

— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) October 22, 2020 Already crossed that point.

So what about the rest of the nation?

Vaccine as a poll promise- how low can one stoop?

Pls don’t say lower than our gdp https://t.co/jcOO5Z2S9N

— Lavanya Ballal | ಲಾವಣ್ಯ ಬಲ್ಲಾಳ್ (@LavanyaBallal) October 22, 2020 This even got Shashi Tharoor talking in Hindi.

तुम मुझे वोट दो मैं तुम्हे वैक्सीन .... what appalling cynicism! Will the ElectionCommission rap her & her shameless Govt on the knuckles? https://t.co/ri1UlWWmgD

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 22, 2020 Hmm.

Is this Barter system.. what If Bihar opts to do away with NDA?Shameless BJP govt bargains with ppl regarding life saving vaccine. https://t.co/2l7g0aOKuI

— Rekha Mathews ☘️ (@mathews_rekha) October 22, 2020 This is honestly Trump level stuff.

Making vaccine distribution during a pandemic conditional on an election win? Only an administration like @BJP4India can be this shameless. #BiharPolls #Disgraceful https://t.co/TKpBB06Kzi

— Chinmay Nadig (@ChinmayNadig) October 22, 2020 All important questions.

Questions.
1. Will other states also get free vaccine?
2. Will Bihar get free vaccine first?
3. If BJP loses in Bihar, will the state still get the free vaccine?
4. Who is funding the distribution of free vaccine? States or Union?
5. What is govt's vaccine distribution plan? https://t.co/MdNiHE6LPW

— Faye DSouza (@fayedsouza) October 22, 2020 Couldn't have said it better.

You are not giving the vaccine as charity madam, because you are not procuring it using your personal wealth, it is taxpayer's money and you have to vaccinate all citizens of India to bring back the country on its feet... It can't be in election manifesto....shameful..

— Sweta Choudhary (@sweta93873502) October 22, 2020 Someone, please answer.

Vaccination of a deadly pandemic is part of poll promise ? How disgusting is that ? What if previous govts behaved in same way in country ?

And what about other states in India ?
What if Bihar votes out NDA from state ? They wont get vaccinated?#का_किये_हो_मोदीजी https://t.co/r9aIROVnVZ

— Bhushan Patil (@bhushankpatil12) October 22, 2020 What a shame.

India's vaccine distribution strategy is based on err which state has an election and who votes for whom. In other countries, the discussions revolve around who are vulnerable and need it most. #vaccine https://t.co/t88oR20EiF

— Niha Masih (@NihaMasih) October 22, 2020 Outrageous.

Modi's Finance Minister promises free #COVID19 vaccine for Bihar only - Is Bihar the only state affected by the pandemic or the only state going to the election next week? Modi regime has no shame and the Election Commission has no voice. https://t.co/3Wz52wN9zB

— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) October 22, 2020

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