SC should have intervened during poll rallies, Kumbh: Shiv Sena
The Shiv Sena on Saturday said the COVID-19 situation in the county wouldn't have worsened had the Supreme Court taken timely cognizance of election rallies in West Bengal and the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. The party's remarks come after the apex court's order asking the Centre for a national plan on oxygen supply and vaccination amid the pandemic.
Timely intervention by SC would have avoided the agony: Saamana
"It is good that the court has stepped in. However, had there been a timely intervention about election rallies, Kumbh, people wouldn't have been left to die in agony," the Sena said in its mouthpiece Saamana. Citing the death of 25 COVID-19 patients in Delhi due to oxygen shortage, the party asked who should be held responsible for the situation, if not the Centre.
Shiv Sena accused Centre of focusing on the elections
"Who is responsible for this situation in the national capital if not the central government?" it said, highlighting that a leading British daily had described the scene as India's descent to COVID-19 hell. Had the Centre focused on tackling the second COVID-19 wave instead of the Assembly polls in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, the situation would not have deteriorated.
Today, we see only crematoriums and burial grounds: Shiv Sena
The Uddhav Thackeray-led party also condoled the loss of lives in hospital tragedies in Bhandara, Mumbai, Virar, and Nashik. "Modi and his colleagues wanted to turn India into heaven. Today, we see only crematoriums and burial grounds. There are mass funeral pyres and hospitals themselves are on fire along with the patients. Is this a hell?" it stated.
Raut blamed the leadership of the country for the crisis
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Sena leader and Saamana's executive editor Sanjay Raut blamed the country's top leadership for the health crisis. "Our leadership is not willing to go beyond winning elections and politics. They feel this is the ultimate success. Had the focus been on tackling the pandemic, we wouldn't be in such a situation," the Rajya Sabha member said.
Thackeray leading the coronavirus battle from the front: Raut
Referring to the scenario in Maharashtra, Raut said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was leading the coronavirus battle from the front. "He hasn't gone anywhere to address election rallies. He is fighting, sitting in Mumbai, and giving directives. Thackeray is not indulging in politics," he said.
