Congresspresident Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said the Centre doesn’t appear to have aclear idea on how the situation will be managed after May 3, when thenationwide lockdown to contain the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to end.

“A lockdownof the present nature after that date would be even more devastating,” she saidin her opening remarks at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC)held through video conference.

PrimeMinister Narendra Modi initially announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown fromMarch 25, and later extended it till May 3. A decision on lifting the lockdownis expected to be made after Modi’s meeting with chief ministers on April 27.SoniaGandhi said states and local governments are the in frontline of the battleagainst Covid-19 and alleged that funds legitimately owed to Congress-ruled stateswere held back.

“Let me alsoshare with you something that should worry each and every one us Indians. Whenwe should be tackling the coronavirus unitedly, the BJP continues to spread thevirus of communal prejudice and hatred. Grave damage is being done to oursocial harmony. Our party, we will have to work hard to repair that damage,”she said.

“There are afew success stories and we should applaud them. Most of all we should saluteevery single Indian leading the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in spite ofthe absence of adequate PPE – doctors, nurses, paramedics, health workers,sanitation workers and all other essential service providers, NGOs and thelakhs of citizens providing relief to the most needy all over India. Theirdedication and determination truly inspire us all,” she added.

Sonia Gandhireiterated her party’s commitment to extending constructive support to thegovernment in dealing with the crisis due to the Covid-19 outbreak, but shesaid the situation had worsened since the CWC’s last meet.

“Since ourmeeting three weeks ago, the pandemic has increased disturbingly – both inspread and speed,” she said.