Twelve major opposition parties have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding that his government takes immediate action to combat the massive second wave of coronavirus which is creating havoc in the country, leaving the heath structure overwhelmed and accounting for an unprecedented number of deaths.

Calling the pandemic an "apocalyptic human tragedy", the opposition parties suggested a string of measures that the Modi government can implement to break the chain of infections including the distribution of free vaccines, a stop to the work on the Central Vista redevelopment project and a repeal of farm laws.

"We have repeatedly in the past drawn your attention, independently and jointly, to the various measures that are absolutely imperative for the Central government to undertake and implement. Unfortunately, your government has either ignored or refused all these suggestions. This only compounded the situation to reach such an apocalyptic human tragedy," the letter, accessed by media, read.

The letter was signed by representatives of all key political parties except Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party and Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, IBNS said. 

The oppositions' nine-point suggestions include:

- Central procurement of vaccines from all available sources - global and domestic.
- Immediate free, universal mass vaccination campaign
- Compulsory licensing to expand domestic vaccine production
- Spending the ₹ 35,000 crore budgetary allocation for vaccines
- Stopping the Central Vista construction and using the money for oxygen and vaccines
- Releasing all money held in the "unaccounted private trust fund", PMCares to buy - vaccines, oxygen and medical equipment
- ₹ 6000 per month for the unemployed
- Free distribution of foodgrain to the needy
- Repeal of farm laws to protect farmers falling victim to Covid
- The parties also sought a response from the PM.

Though it has not been the practice of your office or government, we would appreciate a response to our suggestions in the interests of India and our people," the letter read.

On Tuesday, BJP chief JP Nadda had given a strong response to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's criticism of the government's handling of the Covid crisis.

"Your party, under your leadership, is doing no favours to itself by opposing lockdowns and then demanding for the same (sic), ignoring the Centre's advisories on the second wave of Covid and then saying they did not get any information, holding massive election rallies in Kerala causing a spike in Covid cases while grandstanding about election rallies elsewhere, supporting protests but speaking about following Covid guidelines," Nadda wrote.

"Even when the second wave was on the rise, your party leaders were happier being seen in super spreader political events in north India, where there was no regard for masks or social distancing. This is not an era when such information can be erased from public memory," he had added.

The letters come at a time when the Modi government is under scathing attack from not just the opposition but by th