CM Uddhav Thackeray, who rightfully wanted more time to analyse the ground situation, also did not want a minister to overstep his authority
People visit the Borivli vegetable market at Swami Vivekananda Road on Saturday. Pic/Satej Shinde
The political drama that unfolded over prematurely announcing the lifting of Covid-19 curbs did not escalate much because what Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar had said about the plan didn’t change drastically, except for reduction in the number of districts that, according to the minister, would have no curbs. The official announcement happened at midnight a day after the minister’s announcement was rolled back on the behest of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who rightfully wanted some more time to analyse the ground situation. And of course, the CM did not want a minister to overstep his authority.
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The Sena had a point to prove, which it did, leaving a section in the Congress fuming. Without much support to his shenanigans from within the Congress, Wadettiwar is reported to have defended himself before the party seniors saying that he shouldn’t be blamed for talking about his department when health minister Rajesh Tope (Nationalist Congress Party) makes statements on the lockdown, curbs and relaxations, which is his (Wadettiwar’s) responsibility.
It seems the ego battles will go on in some way or the other, within and between parties. As it has happened even in the single party governments, Maharashtra has experienced ego trips, more so, when it started having the two-party alliance governments in which the relations between the leaders and their respective parties have always been on tenterhooks. Mind you, this is a three-party arrangement, an exceptional one, which cannot be devoid of ego clashes. Actually, it is more prone to intensified clashes. Tougher and patient leadership of the alliance partners, better coordination between them, and more importantly, the silencing of the motormouth when needed, hold a key to minimising the troubles that people are subjected to.
Also Read: Maharashtra easing of Covid-19 restrictions: Thane, Navi Mumbai in category 2
While the drama got curtailed, a good thing happened. The state’s senior bureaucrats gave a deep thought to the dilemma of whether to lift the curbs or not. They found a scientific way to decide five levels for relaxing curbs and at the same time kept all the levels interwoven for a cumulative good or bad effect. Anything that goes bad on any level will impact the other, bringing all to square one. The model makes the people and administration that governs them equally responsible for having a normal life in the time of a pandemic. It gives them liberty and control, that together can keep the wheels of economy rolling. The success depends on the united effort. We will be seeing the results in another 30 days, which if positive, will lead us to a way of protecting against the third wave strike. Otherwise, it will dampen our preparedness.
As we go forward seeking to better our test positivity rate and availability of oxygenated beds, subsequently getting to the upper level of relaxations, we see some concerns that must be dealt with before they hit the unlocking stage. The Maratha reservation-related political leaders have announced long marches and agitations this month. Showing utter disregard to the pandemic laws, a protest march was taken out in Beed without permission, putting the people at risk of infection. We understand that some 25 people have been booked. More agitations are planned, of which the one from June 16, to be led by influential Maratha leader Chhatrapati Sambhaji Bhosale, is expected to evoke a big response in Kolhapur and other places, though he has appealed to the community to not take to the streets. The agitation will spread across the state, if it is not stopped from growing bigger, in view of the transmission dangers posed to the participants and others. The past experiences of elections rallies, social gatherings and unmanned crowds helped the virus spread with demonic speed.
The last unlock brought the virus back because the people faltered while the administration and other arms of the government relaxed. With it came an unforeseen number of deaths, scramble for arranging adequate healthcare. Grief peaked. There is not a single family that hasn’t lost a relative, acquaintance, friend or co-worker to the second wave. Covid-appropriate behaviour is the only answer to avoid further distress.
Dharmendra Jore is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @dharmendrajore
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