I will have to remove the mask of Chief Minister to respond to politics. I don’t speak, it does not mean I don’t have answers
AMN / MUMBAI
Facing challenges at both on political level and public health front -Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday assured people that he would face it all with their support.
“Whatever political storms come, I will face… I will fight coronavirus too,” he said at a televised public address in the state.
A day after Covid-19 infection cases in Maharashtra crossed the 10-lakh mark, Thackeray said his government has done effective work to tackle the pandemic.
Speaking in the backdrop of political criticism over demolition of actress Kangana Ranaut’s bungalow in Mumbai and the way his government handled the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, Thackeray assured people that he would fight the political crisis too. “I will have to remove the mask of Chief Minister to respond to politics. I don’t speak, it does not mean I don’t have answers,” Thackeray said.
Thackeray said the pandemic is showing no sign of respite and the virus is spreading in rural Maharashtra as well. Although he said the number of patients recovering is also more. He said facts and figures show that if detected early, all patients recover fast. Asking people not to take the pandemic lightly, he said wearing masks, observing physical distancing, avoiding crowding and face-to-face contact with people is the only option as of now.
The chief minister said everyone should share the responsibility to make the “my family, my responsibility” campaign against coronavirus, which begins on September 15, a success. He said this war can be won only with people’s wholehearted support. He said a decision on extension of the lockdown would depend on how the people follow the pandemic protocols.
Speaking on the state government’s “Mission Begin Again” campaign during the pandemic, Thackeray said his administration effectively tackled the Covid-19 situation, cyclones and floods and will also deal with the political storm with people’s support.
The chief minister said his government was doing its best to deal with all challenges. “We should share our responsibilities to make the ‘my family, my responsibility’ campaign (against coronavirus) which begins on September 15 a success. This war can be won only with people’s wholehearted support,” he said.
It is not feasible for the government to undertake checkup of each and every one of the 12 crore populace of the state, he said.
Meanwhile, calling CM’s address a big disappointment, the BJP said people were expecting him to explain the government’s roadmap to tackle rising number of cases and deaths due to Covid-19. Despite the worsening situation in the state, the CM was seen only praising himself, the opposition party said.
Thackeray has been facing flak from detractors on both political and coronavirus fronts. He said a conspiracy is afoot to malign Maharashtra. “Whatever political storms come, I will face… I will fight coronavirus too,” said the chief minister.
