Amid the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra, Saamana, Shiv Sena’s Mouthpiece has warned of another lockdown that will more strict to tackle the resurgence. People should maintain self-discipline to avoid restrictions, said an editorial in Saamana.
Mumbai’s guardian minister Aslam Shaikh on Tuesday said that a decision on imposing restrictions or lockdown in the metropolitan city will soon be taken by local authorities.
“In a meeting on Monday, the chief minister [Uddhav Thackeray] instructed the municipal corporation and the collector to decide on the imposition of lockdown. It can be a night curfew, complete or partial lockdown. [Coronavirus] cases are on the rise in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. Nightclubs are likely to be shut first,” Aslam Shaikh said.
16 hotspots were put under lockdown in Thane which was imposed by the local administrations on Tuesday.
The editorial on Wednesday said, “Is Maharashtra heading towards another lockdown? Cases across the country are increasing and Maharashtra’s contribution is major, which is a cause of concern… People should maintain self-discipline and put some restrictions on themselves. Take care, else lockdown or strict restrictions are unavoidable.”.
However, the Saamana was later slammed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and ministers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for not following Covid-appropriate behavior.
“BJP wants to hoist their flag in victory in West Bengal. But at least the Prime Minister should follow Covid protocol. The union health ministry said that there is no threat of Covid-19 in West Bengal. It seems till Prime Minister’s grand rallies and BJP leaders’ campaign visits end there would be no Covid-19 there,” the editorial said.
There was no immediate response to the editorial from the BJP.
The editorial also asked what the Union government was doing to help Maharashtra tackle the Covid crisis. “The rulers in Delhi have expressed concern over the rising cases in Maharashtra, and we are grateful for the concern shown. But what are you going to do to help fight Covid? What use is your hollow concern to Maharashtra?”
