The Congress on Sunday asked nine questions in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 9pm-9-minute appeal, arguing that lighting candles and flashing cellphone torches should not lead to vital aspects of the battle against the coronavirus getting ignored.

Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev did not oppose the Prime Minister’s appeal and asserted that everybody would do what he wanted. But her emphasis on substantive issues such as protection for the doctors and intensive testing of patients indicated the party’s belief that the government’s focus was misplaced.

Rahul Gandhi’s tweet on Saturday that shining a torch in the sky would not help also provided a window to the party’s mind.

“Indians stand united in the battle against coronavirus. Spontaneous solidarity in times of crisis is natural and gives hope and strength. Diktats and imposition makes it superficial and meaningless. Theatrics is not a substitute for concrete action,” Congress politician Anand Sharma tweeted.

Nitin Raut, Congress power minister in Maharashtra, had on Saturday night declared he would neither switch off lights at his home, nor light candles.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut tweeted: “When people were asked to clap, they crowded the roads and beat drums, I just hope now they don’t burn down their own houses. Sir ‘diya to jalalenge’ but please tell us what the government is doing to improve condition.”

Maharashtra’s NCP housing minister Jitendra Ahwad went a step further by declaring he was not fool enough to switch off lights and burn candles.

He posted a video in which he recited a poem: “Tanashah aa ke jayenge, hum diya nahin jalayenge (Dictators will come and go but we won’t light candles).”

Anand Sharma said in a series of tweets: “Time is running out to prevent a grave and prolonged economic crisis. Bold measures and sector-specific stimulus alone can save the economy from threatened collapse. The first package was small and far too inadequate for economic revival. Fiscal deficit and inflation cannot be a consideration. These should be kept in abeyance. India should commit 5-6% of its GDP. Extraordinary situations call for extraordinary response.”

He added: “Revival of economic activity now is essential as millions have lost wages and jobs. A staggered unlocking plan for factories and businesses be announced and interstate movement of cargo containers be restored, or supply side issues will blow into a massive crisis and stores will run out of essential items, pushing the economy into a deep shock. A robust economy and national resolve will win the war. Hope the Prime Minister will consider the constructive suggestions made in national interest.”

The nine questions that Sushmita Dev asked were:

1. When will the doctors and other health workers get adequate personal protective equipment (PPE)?

2. Why the five weeks’ delay in issuing guidelines/specifications for the manufacture of PPE kits?

3. How many agencies are ready for testing and approving PPEs to avoid further delay?

4. When will an adequate number of ventilators be available?

5. Why is the rate of testing people so low?

6. Why is there confusion in approving and expanding the criteria for testing kits?

7. Why the delay in the protocol for testing?

8. Why is free testing not being ordered?

9. Will the families of the coronavirus victims get compensation?

Dev said nothing was more painful than seeing the doctors, nurses and other health professionals who are risking their lives to save others themselves getting infected because the government has failed to provide them with adequate protection.

“While India will need around 62 lakh PPEs, barely thousands are available. This shows India is not ready for the coronavirus war. And it’s clear we lost precious time. Crucial decisions needed to be taken by the government in preparing for the war were not taken in time,” she said.

The government has so far not consulted the Opposition parties although the Prime Minister has interacted with editors, celebrities and sportspersons.

Modi reached out to Opposition leaders, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, only on Sunday.