Maharashtra has reported the most number of Covid-19 cases in India. Opposition leader and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said it was the time to work together to mitigate the crisis. In an exclusive interview, he spoke to THE WEEK on a range of issues—from the state government’s handling of the pandemic to the allegation that an IPS officer had helped the promoters of DHFL violate the lockdown.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q/Are you satisfied with the handling of the Covid-19 outbreak in the state by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government?
A/I am not speaking as the leader of the opposition. We feel it is time to work together. I have spoken to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and have made suggestions. Maharashtra has the highest number of cases; approximately 50 per cent of deaths are in our state. It is an emergency situation in Mumbai, where community spread appears imminent. I feel a different strategy is needed to handle the situation.
Q/What changes would you suggest?
A/There is a need to decentralise supplies. We have received food stock from the Centre for public distribution, but the state government is taking conflicting decisions. Our demand is that those who have ration cards be given food grains through PDS. Around 15 states have decided that those who do not have ration cards should also get supplies through PDS. There are over one crore people in Maharashtra who do not have ration cards; they are mostly migrant labourers. It is our duty to supply them food grains. The state government says they will be provided food through community kitchens, but that is an impractical proposal.
Then there is the issue of supplying food grains to grocery shops (to prevent hoarding and price hikes). The Uttar Pradesh government has chartered 20,000 vehicles for doorstep delivery of essential items. The BJP is providing food grains and meals to 38 lakh people in Maharashtra.
There was a need to create a special protocol for hospitals. But we did not do it, because of which five or six big hospitals in south Mumbai alone had to be sealed. We also could not provide sufficient PPE (personal protective equipment) kits to government hospitals. Nearby industries could have been asked to make such kits.
Another issue is that lockdown is not being strictly followed in segregated zones and certain localities. The government should not think about vote bank politics now. They should ask the State Reserve Police Force to conduct flag marches twice or thrice a day in areas where people are not following lockdown rules. The flag marches will instil positive fear in people. But the government is not taking speedy decisions. I feel the will to take speedy decisions is missing.
Q/How is the coordination between different departments, which are being headed by different political parties?
A/There is absolutely no coordination between the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress, and between the departments they are heading. Ask people in the Sena or those close to the chief minister, and even they will say that they are not getting cooperation.
Q/The Union government recently announced a package of Rs1.7 lakh crore to tackle the crisis. But there is strong criticism that it is not enough.
A/This package is just the beginning. I am sure more is being planned. What we need right now is a long-term strategy.
Q/You recently demanded that the chief minister ask for the resignation of NCP leader and Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad. Why?
A/A person posted against Awhad on social media. Government guards went to that person’s house, picked him up and brought him to Awhad’s bungalow. The person was beaten up badly in front of the minister and was made to apologise. That person has registered a police complaint. He has named the minister in the complaint and the police have arrested five NCP workers in the case.
I have a simple question: If Awhad was present [when the person was beaten up] and has been named in the complaint, why is there no case against him?
Q/Senior IPS officer Amitabh Gupta, whom you had appointed as principal secretary (home) in August 2018, recently gave a letter to Kapil and Dheeraj Wadhawan of DHFL, who are wanted by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI. The letter allegedly helped the Wadhawans travel to a hill station amid the lockdown. The government has now sent Gupta on compulsory leave.
A/When we appointed Gupta, there was no adverse remark against him. There was neither a complaint nor any ongoing inquiry against him. Having said that, I feel that he has made a big mistake.
Q/Do you think there was pressure on Gupta to issue the letter?
A/Which additional director general of police would issue such a foolish letter without having been told to do so? They have sent him on leave now and are carrying out an inquiry. But, will that inquiry also look into who was calling the shots? Also, why send him on leave; why not suspend him?
Q/The state government says civil service officers come under the Union government.
A/They are saying that to divert attention. The state government has every right to suspend an IAS or IPS officer.
Q/Will you name the person who was behind this letter?
A/The letter was issued with the blessings of a very big political leader in Maharashtra. I will not name him now. But those who understand will know who the person I am referring to is.