‘Politics during Covid not our culture’

Chief minister (CM) Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday put his former ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in his line of fire for playing politics while the state government is battling against the Covid-19 pandemic. Two days after BJP staged a protest against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Thackeray, in his address to the state on Sunday afternoon, said that his government will not indulge in politics “as it does not suit the culture of Maharashtra”. The CM added that Covid-19 cases in the state are likely to increase by May end.

Since last week, the state is recording over 2,000 new cases daily, but the Centre’s projection that Maharashtra would have around 1.25-1.50 lakh cases has not come true. Thackeray said that the state is prepared to tackle the surge in cases.

“These are testing times, nobody should indulge in politics now. Even if you do, we will not because the people of Maharashtra have faith in us,” he said. “The GST refund is yet to reach us, should I make it an issue? There is still a deficiency in the supply of medicines. We are yet to get the money for the trains...” he said.

Thackeray said that the state government is not going to announce “empty packages” but do “actual” work. “Some people are asking why have you not announced a package? Till now many packages [by the BJP] worth crores have been announced. They are packaged nicely but when you open, it is an empty box, ” he said.

Thackeray also outlined the state’s steps taken for the people and migrant labourers including widening the scope of Shiv Bhojan scheme, following up with the Centre to give food grains for people who do not have ration cards, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana, etc. He said that 5.5 to 6 lakh migrant workers have been provided food till now. “Cases will increase. We have created hospital infrastructure for it. By the end of May, we will make 14,000 beds available.”

Following CM’S address, BJP leader Ashish Shelar posted on Twitter, “..Daily the direction and speeches are changing. Who is he telling not to do politics? MP Sanjay Raut and minister Jayant Patil?”a tweet by the CM’S office stated that Thackeray spoke to civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri on resumption of flights.