Rising COVID cases in Maharashtra: Sena hits out at BJP, says ‘spike due to temple politics’

With COVID-19 cases rising in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena has pinned the blame on the BJP saying temple politics led to a spike in the number of coronavirus cases.

Targeting Opposition BJP, Sena mouthpiece Saamana’s editorial slammed the saffron party and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for launching ‘Ghantanaad’, a protest demanding reopening of temples in the state.

The COVID-19 situation in the state worsened on Friday after it reported more than 6,000 new coronavirus infections in a single day for the first time after more than three months.

As many as 6,112 fresh cases were reported during the day, most of them coming from Akola, Pune and Mumbai divisions, said an official of the state health department.

With the Uddhav Thackeray government failing to reign in the virus, Shiv Sena has accused the BJP of the spike.

This is not the first time Sena has blamed the BJP.

Last year in September, Saamana had asked if the BJP and Fadnavis will take responsibility if there was a spike in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra.

Saamana’s editorial said “Before raising the issue, Opposition needs to understand the pandemic situation in the state. People should achieve ‘peace of mind’ and ‘peace from hunger’ at temples, but Opposition should understand the real meaning behind the term ‘peace of mind’. It does not translate to peace of mind to attain political gains.”

The priority now was to safeguard people’s lives and the rest will follow, the party advised the Opposition, it said.

Mumbai city and surrounding region is the biggest contributor to COVID-19 cases. But since February 12, Akola city and district and Amravati city and district have recorded a noticeable spike, reported PTI.

Akola division, including districts of Akola, Amravati and Yavatmal, registered a sudden spike in cases. On February 12 it had a case tally of 76,207 but on Friday it increased by 6,697 and climbed to 82,904.