New Delhi, May 28: Union Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday slammed Congress alleging that it stifled the voices of millions for seven decades and is "now telling the country to speak up" when the nation is battling COVID-19.

"Those who stifled the voices of millions in this country for seven decades are telling the country to speak up," said Irani. Also Read | Lockdown 5.0 Strategy: Amit Shah Seeks Views of Chief Ministers on COVID-19 Shutdown.

"The country spoke in one voice against corona when PM appealed that all of us need to fight this pandemic together," she said. She also said that it is Congress' right to criticise but urges them to reflect if the current time is appropriate for the country to stand "politically divided". Also Read | Heat Wave Relents After Light Showers in Parts of North India; Slight Dip in Temperature in Rajasthan.

"I agree there have been challenges, but this particular challenge did not come with a prescribed formula for success. Who gets helped when India stands divided? - that is the question we all need to ponder on," the Minister of Textiles said.

Speaking about the mass movement of migrant workers across the country, she said, "People have been brought back home through trains, flights, and ships. The government has stood resolutely and worked to ensure that these people get support."

She recounted several measures taken by the government to fight the healthcare crisis, such as Rs 1.7 lakh crore issued under Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana, financial packages announced by the Finance Minister among a few others.

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