Focus on taking care of people, not trolling: Derek O'Brien on COVID-19 crisis

TMC MP Derek O'Brien on Monday said the need of the hour is to focus on the needs of people instead of trolling and spreading fake news.

In a statement, the Rajya Sabha leader and national spokesperson of the party said this was time when every institution of the country and its citizens must come together.

"We are in a national crisis. Citizens and government, Centre and states, all parties and institutions: we are in this together. In such a critical hour, disappointing to see the usual trolls resort to #FakeNews, the lowest level of political propaganda. Please desist, at least till COVID-19 is defeated. Let us focus on taking care of those who need it the most," he said.

TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had recently written to 18 chief ministers to take care of the migrants from the state.

TMC leader Derek O'Brien also reached out to DMK's M K Stalin, Shiv Sena's Aditya Thackeray and other parties on the migrants issue.

The number of COVID-19 cases climbed to 1,024 and the death toll touched 27 after two fresh deaths were reported on Sunday evening in the country, according to the Union Health Ministry.