Raut slams BJP for changing stance on COVID-19 curbs
What's the story
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday hit out at the opposition BJP for criticizing the Maharashtra Government after initially supporting it over the restrictions imposed by it to check the spread of COVID-19.
Talking to reporters, Raut said that the opposition parties in the country should stop indulging in politics during the pandemic.
Here are more details.
Information
Every life is important, politicking should be avoided: Raut
"Initially, the opposition BJP supported Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's plea for cooperation while imposing strict curbs, but now it is criticizing. Every life is important, which is why politicking should be avoided," the Shiv Sena MP said.
Details
Chief Minister had held discussion with all parties
"CM Thackeray had held discussions with leaders of all parties including the Leader of Opposition before making the decision. The Maharashtra-government'>Maharashtra Government has taken the decision for the people's good. Otherwise, the situation will be more critical," ANI quoted Raut as saying.
"I feel the Prime Minister is also very concerned regarding the surge of COVID cases," he added.
Gujarat
High Court has suggested a lockdown in BJP-led Gujarat: Raut
Raut said that in BJP-led Gujarat, the High Court has suggested a lockdown, but in Maharashtra, that party is opposing it.
"No government is happy to take such decisions. Everyone must understand that this is an emergency situation," he added.
To curb the surging COVID-19 cases, the Maharashtra Government has imposed stringent measures including a night curfew and weekend lockdown till April 30.
Information
Fadnavis appealed to people to follow COVID-19 restrictions
Senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had on Sunday appealed to the people in Maharashtra to follow the restrictions and the weekend lockdown announced by the State Government to tackle the spread of COVID-19 cases.
Letter
Fadnavis wrote a letter to Chief Minister on Tuesday
Notably, Fadnavis wrote a letter to the Chief Minister on Tuesday, in which he said, "When you spoke to me about the need to impose strict restrictions to check the spread of the virus, we agreed since the lockdown was for two days."
"But lockdown-like restrictions for the remaining five days of the week have led to unrest among people," the letter stated.
Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccine stocks in the state are worryingly limited
Meanwhile, Maharashtra, India's worst-hit state in the COVID-19 outbreak, is fast running out of its vaccine stocks, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday.
According to Tope, some vaccination centers in the state had to be shut down due to a shortage of vaccines.
The state government has requested the Centre to send more vaccine doses.