Twelve major opposition parties have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They demanded that the Centre take immediate action as the second wave of Covid-19 rips through the country, leaving hospitals overwhelmed & hundreds of thousands dead. The opposition parties called it an "apocalyptic human tragedy.” They suggested a series of measures that included distribution of free vaccines, a stop to the work on the Central Vista project & repeal of farm laws. The letter was signed by representatives of all key political parties except Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party & Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party. The parties also sought a response. The letter came amid huge criticism of the government at home and abroad. The Centre, along with the BJP & its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is trying to offset the criticism with a mega push of "positivity". The Congress, a key signatory of the letter, has dismissed it as "propaganda".