Uddhav Thackeray Has Become Family Doctor of Maharashtra, Says Shiv Sena After State Crosses Danger Level of COVID-19 Pandemic

Mumbai, May 11: The Shiv Sena on Tuesday described Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray as the "family doctor" of the 12 crore people of the state, saying his "caring attitude" and efforts have prevented the state from crossing the "danger level" of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the editorial in the party mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Sena also said even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had acknowledged Maharashtra's efforts in mitigating the second wave of the pandemic. In his recent interaction with physicians, the chief minister had urged them to help in the early diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in their patients and facilitate timely treatment for them.

Terming Thackeray, who heads the Sena, a "Covidologist", the editorial said he was probably the only chief minister who has studied the COVID-19 crisis in detail. The number of daily coronavirus positive cases in Maharashtra, which has been reeling under the resurgent pandemic, dropped below 40,000 to 37,236 on Monday for the first time after March 31. India Witnesses Sharp Decline in Daily COVID-19 Cases; Country Registers 3,29,942 New Coronavirus Cases, 3,876 Deaths in Past 24 Hours.

As of May 10, Maharashtra's caseload stood at 51,38,973 including 76,398 fatalities. "Chief Minister Thackeray studied the pandemic in detail and is working hard to bring down the cases. He has (in a way) become a family doctor of the 12 crore people of Maharashtra," the Sena said.

"He did not let Maharashtra cross the danger level. Not only that but Thackeray is also instilling courage and strength in the people to fight the COVID-19 by becoming their family doctor. It is the duty of everyone to support him," the Sena said.

The party said heart-wrenching photographs of corpses of people who have died of COVID-19 piling up in other parts of the country are being published daily by the international media.

"But there are no such photographs from Maharashtra. Who should be credited for the same if not CM Thackeray?" the Sena asked. The Sena further said the state government was preparing itself to fight the third wave of COVID-19 which is predicted to affect children more than other age groups.

The Sena said the CM's priority was to protect children during the third wave and he has asked doctors to pay attention to identify certain symptoms in children. COVID-19 Vaccine Shortage: Delhi Will Have to Shut Covaxin Jab Centres for 18-Plus if Stocks Not Refilled, Says AAP Leader Atishi.

"...This is a sign of a family head. The chief minister is personally paying attention towards (availability of) medical oxygen and vaccination," the Sena said. In a veiled dig at the BJP and other opposition parties that have been accusing Thackeray of not stepping out of his residence for fear of catching the viral infection, the Sena said, "Thackery has stopped moving out unnecessarily".

"Thackeray also locked down frivolous politics and concentrated only on tackling COVID-19. Therefore, even Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi could not resist himself from praising Maharashtra," the Sena said.

The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) recently issued a statement saying Modi, during his interaction with Thackeray over the phone, acknowledgedthat Maharashtra has been tackling thesecond wave of the pandemic well.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)