NewsPhotos We object to 'Singapore variant', there is no such thing: Know how Kejriwal's tweet started controversy

We object to 'Singapore variant', there is no such thing: Know how Kejriwal's tweet started controversy

Dismissing calls of a new 'Singapore variant' of the novel coronavirus, the city-state said that the variant of COVID-19 discovered there was actually the Indian strain of the virus. The island nation's response comes days after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's claim of a 'new Singapore variant', he has come under heavy criticism for his remarks.

Zee Media Bureau|

Updated:May 20, 2021, 07:35 PM IST

CM Kerjiwal stirs row with 'Singapore variant'

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The island nation's response comes days after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that the 'new Singapore variant' was very harmful and urged the Centre to immediately halt flight opertions to and from the Southeast Asian nation. (Image courtesy: Reuters)

Singapore's stand on the row

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"There is no truth whatsoever in the assertions found within the reports... There is no 'Singapore variant'. The strain that is prevalent in many of the COVID-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant, which originated in India," Singapore's Ministry of Health said in a statement late on Tuesday. (Image courtesy: Reuters)

India's stand on Singapore variant row

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On the Indian part, the Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, said on Wednesday that the Indian High Commissioner P Kumaran clarified to the Singapore government that the Delhi Chief Minister had no competence to comment on COVID-19 variants. (Image courtesy: Reuters)

Kejriwal's tweet kicks up controversy

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This comes days after the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted on Tuesday that the so-called 'new Singapore variant' was very harmful to children and called on the Central government to immediately halt flights with the Southeast Asian nation.