Rahul Gandhi, Prashant Kishor On the Center’s push for positivity, Prashant Kishor calls it propaganda

New Delhi:

The government’s mega-push for ‘positivity’ to fend off criticism, both at home and abroad, has set up a new political flashpoint, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi calling it “To put your head in the sand” and a betrayal of the citizens.

“The false assurance of ‘positive thinking’ is a joke about families and health workers who have lost loved ones and are suffering from a crisis of oxygen, hospitals and drugs. Burying your head in the sand is not positive – it is a betrayal of our citizens, ”the congressman tweeted.

Poll strategist Prashant Kishor called it “disgusting” to push “propaganda” in the name of spreading positivity.

“In the face of a grieving nation and tragedies unfolding all around us, the continued attempt to push FALSEHOOD and PROPAGANDA in the name of the POSITIVITY broadcast is disgusting! Kishor tweeted.

In the face of a grieving nation and tragedies unfolding all around us, the continued attempt to push FALSEHOOD and PROPAGANDA in the name of spreading POSITIVITY is disgusting!

To be positive, we don’t need to become a blind government propagandist.

– Prashant Kishor (@PrashantKishor) May 12, 2021

The strong reactions follow reports of a new strategy by the government, the ruling BJP and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to tackle massive national and international criticism of the government’s management Narendra Modi of the second wave of Covid.

Last week, central government officials, including joint secretary-rank officials, were invited to attend a workshop on better communication and highlighting the “positive work” of government, sources told NDTV.

Union ministers tweeted such efforts as the Oxygen Express movement and government outreach stories and articles.

The official Twitter handle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio speech ‘Mann Ki Baat ‘ mentions that the powerful message of positivity needs to be communicated.

Amid the crackdown, BJP President JP Nadda wrote a sharp letter to Acting Congress President Sonia Gandhi yesterday to refute her criticism of the government, its vaccine policies and the election rallies organized by the Prime Minister. Minister Modi and other senior leaders.

In his four-page letter, Nadda listed how the government had distributed ventilators purchased under the PMCARES fund and how concerted efforts are being made to manage this crisis.

RSS is planning to host an online event called “Positivity Unlimited”. This will include lectures and speeches by motivators, religious gurus and prominent industrialists. RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat is also expected to address the nation.