INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A day after COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra crossed 10 lakh, Thackeray added his govt had effectively tackled the pandemic
and will also deal with the political storm
Mumbai: Facing flak on both political and coronavirus
fronts, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said a conspiracy is afoot to malign Maharashtra."Whatever political storms
come, I will face I will fight coronavirus too," Thackeray said in a televised public address.A day after COVID-19 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 the demolition of actress Kangana Ranauts 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
I dont speak doesnt mean I dont have answers," Thackeray said.Speaking on the state governments "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 peoples support.Thackeray said the pandemic is showing no sign of slowing down�and the virus is spreading in rural
Maharashtra as well."But the number of patients recovering is also more
Facts and figures show that if detected early, all patients recover fast," he said.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."We have
slowly started to open up under Mission Begin Again
Some people think they can indulge in politics as part of Mission Begin Again
There is a conspiracy to defame and malign Maharashtra," he said.He said the state government also reached out to the affected people during
Nisarga cyclone and the floods in east Vidarbha and provided relief."Over 29 lakh farmers have benefited through the farm loan waiver scheme
and Rs 700 crore have been disbursed towards relief and rehabilitation of those affected by the Nisarga cyclone," he said, adding Rs 18
crore have been given as immediate relief for floods in Vidarbha.Thackeray 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
This war can be won only with peoples 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.The Supreme Courts interim stay on implementation of the Maratha quota was
unexpected, Thackeray said.The Maratha quota bill was unanimously passed by the state legislature and the legal team hired by the previous
BJP-led state government was arguing in the apex court, he said.Thackeray appealed to Maratha organisations to refrain from holding protests
and demonstrations during the pandemic."The government is firmly with the cause of justice to Maratha community and is working on how to
I have spoken to Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis who is in Bihar now and he has assured the BJPs complete support," he said.A
decision on extension of the lockdown would depend on how the people follow the pandemic protocols, he said."While using public transport,
dont speak, avoid face-to-face contact," he said.On criticism that he doesnt venture out, Thackeray said , "I have been using technology to
reach out to all parts of the state to review the pandemic situation and issue directives.
