Maharashtra CM Remains Tight-Lipped Over Kangana & Madan Sharma Row, Discusses Ways To Tackle Covid 19

Maharashtra CM said that he won't indulge in any political controversies but remaining silent doesn't mean he has no answers. Thackeray said that the time is to focus on the pandemic and the state govt is doing its job.

File Photo (Instagram/PTI)

Maharashtra Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray addressed the citizens of the state today. Thackeray focused his speech on Coronavirus and how to tackle the pandemic and chose to remain silent on the row over Kangana Ranaut's office demolition and attack on the former naval officer Madan Sharma allegedly by the Shiv Sainiks for sharing a cartoon about the chief minister. Also Read|Kangana Ranaut To Meet Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Koshyari Today, Expected To Discuss Recent Clash With Uddhav Govt Though the CM remained tight-lipped about the present controversies but in an indirect message to the opposition  Thackeray assured people that he would balance it all. "Whatever political storms come, I will face... I will fight coronavirus too," "Over the last few days, we have done a lot of work (on coronavirus)... we will fight the political crisis too," Thackeray said. "Whatever storms have reached the state, be it natural or political, the government has been fighting them," added the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's speech revolved around the Covid pandemic and the crisis faced by the citizens of the state. These are the issues addressed by the Maharashtra CM: Corona has not gone down: Uddhav Thackeray

Maharashtra Chief Minister spoke on the pandemic, "We have been going through a difficult situation. I thank all the people of Maharashtra. This is the time of monsoon, agriculture, festivals, and asking people to avoid crowds and festivities is difficult. I have to thank all religions for taking social responsibility. We have also been working on Mission Begin Again to take our life back on track. We are increasing attendance in offices, industries and have restarted inter-district travel. Mission Begin Again, festivals and monsoon all coincided and what I had feared is happening. Coronavirus has not gone down, the numbers are rising. It is increasing in rural areas." He added: "There is a conspiracy to defame the state even as the government is effectively tackling the pandemic."

Maharashtra CM urged everyone to join 'My Family, My Responsibility' campaign from September 15

"I will speak about coronavirus because there is a fear in the world that things may worsen. I want to place some of the caution and responsibility this time on you also. Some of it will be taken up by the government. We are starting a campaign on September 15. I would request all of you to take part, irrespective of your religion and political affiliation. It is called 'My Family, My Responsibility'. In Judo Karate, people learn self-defence and get a black belt. Your mask is your self defence black belt. The vaccine companies have paused trials, still, we hope ti get one by December or January. Please wear your mask. Don't move out unless necessary. Wear a mask always when out. Keep washing your hands. Keep doing this."

Beds increased across Covid hospitals: Maharashtra CM

The CM said, "A special one-time grant (Khauti Yojana) has been restarted for tribal families, farmer loans have been waived off. At least 6.50 lakh tribal kids have been given milk powder. We have tried to break the chain and increase the health facilities. We have increased the number of beds, at least 3.6 lakh beds have been added," he said. "We have been able to start online education in some places. We have done everything possible as a government, he added.

Thackeray also spoke on the farmers' distress

On the farmers' distress, the Maharashtra CM said, "We have helped the people of Kolhapur and Sangli in the flood regions. We are with the farmers. Farmers cannot work from home. We have started a new scheme for farmers. The farmer is working in the dark, he doesn't know if the weather will support him. He has to put his oxen, his wife's jewels, and other things in the market; he takes loan after loan. We have decided to waive the loans of the farmers up to 2 lakhs." The Uddhav government is facing a lot of criticism amid the battle with the actress Kangana Ranaut and social media is on fire after the reports of the former naval officer Madan Sharma being beaten up surfaced. Netizens have been demanding the resignation of Uddhav Thackeray while the BJP has been attacking the state government for the same. Also Watch|Uddhav Thackeray skips speaking about Kangana controversy in his address