Maharashtra min Awhad slams PM's '9 PM - 9 mins' appeal: 'Will disobey, not light candle'

Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his appeal to light a candle for 9 minutes amid soaring cases of Coronavirus in country, Housing Minister of Maharashtra Jitendra Awhad said it is t a festive time. Criticizing PM Modi he said that 'past and future is already in dark, he asked if candle lighting is solution. Maharashtra has so far reported highest number of cases at 335, while 42 have recovered, 16 has died. 

In a video mess, he said: "It was expected from our Prime Minister that he will talk about food grains, he will talk about policy of schedule caste and schedule tribe who have been deprived of food grains, he will talk about migrant labours, talk about 50% of population who does t have a penny in ir pocket and food in ir house, talk about medicine, vaccine, masks, sanitisation, providing money to state, talk about making people comfortable in current situation, and what Mr Modi talks - 'put your lights off and on torch of your mobile'! Is this an event? In a crisis, A PM looks like a ray of hope and here he comes with an idea which is of stone . Absolute darkness in everybody's house except a few, Sorry to say Mr Modi India is t a country of fools. You can't make a fool out of India whenever you like. I am declaring I am t going to off my lights. Instead of that money I will use for poor. I don't mind disobeying you, I will follow my ethics and help poor." 

PM Modi's FULL video mess to people of India amid Coronavirus lockdown here; WATCH

PM interacts with CMs 

Earlier on Thursday, PM Modi interacted with Chief Ministers of all states including Uddhav Thackeray to discuss measures to combat vel Coronavirus. Praising states for working as a team, he informed m about possibility of a second wave of spread of virus.

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Highlighting that common goal was to ensure minimum loss of life, PM ted that testing, tracing, isolation, and quarantine should remain areas of focus in next few weeks. PM also flagged necessity of maintaining supply of essential medical equipment and called for dedicated hospital facilities for COVID-19 patients. Ar important mess imparted by PM Modi was that Crisis Manment Groups needed to be set up at district level besides appointment of District Surveillance Officers.

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PM's mess

Sharing a video mess on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to light a candle on Sunday as a symbol that India is united in fight against Coronavirus. "On April 5, Sunday, at 9 PM, I want 9 minutes of yours. Switch off lights, come out in your balcony, and light a candle, torch, diya, etc. Switch off lights of your house and light a candle so that we can feel enlightenment and we may feel that we are t lonely. I also request people to t go out while doing this. Do t cross Laxman Rekha of social distancing. This is precaution for Coronavirus. You are t alone, we are t alone," PM said.

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