Amid the political turmoil in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday said he had tested positive for Covid-19. This is the second time that Pawar has contracted the infection -- the first time being in October 2020. In a tweet, Pawar said those who came in contact with him, should get tested immediately.
"I did my test for coronavirus which has come out positive. I am doing good and have been consulting doctors. With your blessings, I will soon defeat coronavirus and resume in your service. Whosoever has come in my contact should get tested immediately," Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, tweeted.
Last week, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had also tested positive for coronavirus. Koshyari was admitted to hospital and discharged on Sunday.
The development comes at a time when a section of Shiv Sena MLAs, led by cabinet minister Eknath Shinde, revolted against the party leadership and moved to a hotel in BJP-ruled Assam, putting a question mark on the stability of the MVA dispensation in Maharashtra.
Shinde and his supporters have said that they want the Shiv Sena to pull out of the "unnatural" Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition with the Congress and NCP, and revive the alliance with BJP in Maharashtra.
Last week, while speaking on the crisis, Ajit Pawar had said that the NCP would remain a part of the MVA alliance and urged all the MLAs to work in sync. He also stated that the rebellion in Shiv Sena was the party's internal issue.
"MVA will stay for five years. It's our stand. We have always been there for the MLAs. We have addressed all their questions. Jayant Patil, Balasaheb Thorat, and myself have been addressing the issues. The government will stay stable. All the MLAs should work in sync. I have not interfered in the working of the MLAs," Pawar had told reporters.
When asked if the opposition BJP had a role to play in the ongoing political crisis in the state, Pawar had said, "So far, no top BJP leader has been seen in the forefront."