Even as the total number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra crossed the 41,000 mark, the state unit of the BJP on Friday held a protest, alleging that the Shiv Sena-Congress-Nationalist Congress Party coalition government failed to handle the pandemic crisis in the state.
According to media reports, several prominent BJP leaders, including party state unit chief Chandrakant Patil, took part in the protest led by former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. They held the protest observing the social distancing norms and wearing masks.
Fadnavis, who is also the opposition leader in Maharashtra, pointed out in a tweet that the state has the most number of COVID-19 cases and most number of deaths. The healthcare system collapsed completely, he said and added that this is the abject failure of the government.
"This is the abject failure of the Government. We have always cooperated with the state government. But how much will the people have to tolerate," he asked in the tweet, sharing a pic of the protest.
Similar protests by the BJP were held in other parts of the state as well.
However, the saffron party came under fire after a picture of children with masks lowered seen staging a protest with the BJP flag. The photo, however, is not from the same venue as the former chief minister's event, say an NDTV report.
Cabinet Minister Aaditya Thackeray tweeted, "Absolutely shameful, what lust for power politics can make leaders do. Making kids stand in the heat, with their masks lowered, not covering the face for a political protest when we need to keep them safe and indoors. Corona ko bhul gaye, politics pyaara hai."
Absolutely shameful, what lust for power politics can make leaders do. Making kids stand in the heat, with their masks lowered, not covering the face for a political protest when we need to keep them safe and indoors. Corona ko bhul gaye, politics pyaara hai. pic.twitter.com/fmxFKUdssB
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) May 22, 2020
He also shared a photo of the protesting children.
In another tweet, he said: "One political party state unit has set a new low and a new world record- the only party in the world to indulge in politics and in spreading fear, hate and division when the world has forgotten all of it to help each other. This party has forgotten the pandemic."
One political party state unit has set a new low and a new world record- the only party in the world to indulge in politics and in spreading fear, hate and division when the world has forgotten all of it to help each other. This party has forgotten the pandemic.
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) May 22, 2020
