Uddhav Thackeray worked from home making Maharashtra No 1 in Covid-19 deaths: Shiv Sena's Manisha Kayande

Manisha Kayande. Pic/Twitter@KayandeDr

The Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, launched a scathing attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for criticizing Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. They accused Uddhav Thackeray of working from home during his tenure, which allegedly led to Maharashtra becoming the state with the highest number of Covid-19 deaths.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Shiv Sena Secretary and spokesperson MLC Dr. Manisha Kayande said, "Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has gone to Delhi to attend a crucial meeting called by the Union Home Ministry to discuss measures to curtail the Naxalite movement across the country. The meeting is attended by almost 14 to 15 Chief Ministers. I am sure Uddhavji would have criticized Eknath Shinde had he not attended this meeting as well."

"It was during your tenure as the Chief Minister when Maharashtra had the maximum number of deaths, almost 1,48,561 deaths. Still, you proudly propagate that you were declared one of the top five Chief Ministers. Uddhavji, it was during your tenure when there was an immense shortage of Remdesivir, the crucial medicine to treat Covid-19, inadequate supply of oxygen cylinders, and a body bag scam that was beyond imagination. Also, Uddhavji, I wish to remind you that it was the people, the special task force, and certain service organizations that had reached out to the people when you were sitting indoors with your motto 'My Family My Responsibility'," Kayande said.

She further stated that during Covid-19, Eknath Shinde, wearing his PPE kit, was constantly serving the people of Maharashtra even when he was down with Covid, while Uddhav Thackeray had left the people to fend for themselves.

"Let me also remind you that Eknath Shinde was the Urban Development Minister at that time. He never waited to become the Chief Minister to serve the people of Maharashtra," Kayande added.

Lauding the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Kayande said Eknath Shinde's commitment to serving the people is evident from the fact that he encouraged his son, Shrikant, to become a doctor rather than an MLA, by asking two competent MLAs to compromise.

The Maharashtra government has come under intense criticism following the deaths of several patients at government-run hospitals in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) in a short span.

Manisha Kayande said the deaths that have occurred in different hospitals are absolutely unfortunate, and the government is working towards addressing the issue. "Inquiry committees have been set up to examine the reasons, and a detailed report will be submitted to the government very soon," she added.

"Our Chief Minister is committed to helping people in need, especially with medical needs. While your government disbursed barely Rs 2.5 crore in funds through the CM Relief Fund in two-and-a-half years, our government has disbursed over Rs 125 crore in the last one-and-a-half years. Isn't it ridiculous that you, as a Chief Minister who managed the state's affairs from the comfort of his home and addressed people's issues through Facebook Live, are criticizing a Chief Minister who is always in the field?" said Kayande.