Pandemic Politics Intensifies In Maharashtra

Mumbai: Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra assembly and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP hit out at the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra and sought Central rule in the state for its poor management of the COVID-19 crisis. Fadnavis accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led government of blaming the Centre when the Union Government had in fact helped the state government by releasing adequate funds. The Maharashtra government was trying to malign the Centre, Fadnavis said. The former Maharashtra Chief Minister also alleged that Rahul Gandhi was evading responsibility by saying that his party was not in a decision-making role in Maharashtra.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar expressed surprise over Devendra Fadnavis' statements at a time when the state was reeling under the COVID-19 pandemic. Describing the current Maharashtra government as a stable one, he said that this was not the time to play politics when the state was dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic situation.

The Maharashtra government and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal also sparred over trains for migrants which the state had sought. The Railway Minister on Monday, placed the blame squarely at the door of the Maharashtra government saying that the state was not ready with a list of passengers even though the Centre had adequate number of trains ready.

NCP minister and spokesperson Nawab Malik tweeted to say that although the Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said that 49 trains were available at the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, the DRM of the Terminus told him that only 16 trains could be placed at their disposal. He accused Piyush Goyal of playing "dirty politics."

BJP leader Narayan Rane observed that the Uddhav Thackeray government had failed completely to manage the COVID-19 crisis in the state and demanded President's rule in the state.