CM Uddhav Thackeray cautions against 'Mumbai COVID in control', refuses to reopen temples

Dubbed 'Unlock' interview, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday, talked about ongoing war against Coronavirus (COVID-19) in a 48-minute conversation with Saamana executive editor Sanjay Raut. Summarising his first six months as CM, he said it was bizarre as Corona dominated it mainly. Thackeray - Shiv Sena Supremo has given a 2-part interview to Sena mouthpiece about Coronavirus, Maharashtra politics and his strict line on Lockdown.

Uddhav on 6-months as CM

"I took over responsibility of Chief Ministership at a time when we were struck by a serious pandemic. It was necessary to tackle problem at a deep level to take correct decision. se six months were bizarre. While a government's six months used to celebrated, wadays six months of Opposition seems to be celebrated. re were many obstacles namely- political - which I don't bor about till I have people's blessings," he said.

't in favour of lifting lockdown due to ecomic concern': Maha CM Uddhav Thackeray

He added "All must learn to live with Coronavirus and that is what I am trying to convey with my Facebook Live sessions. Till we don't accept this new lifestyle, I must continue se sessions and discour unnecessary travel and crowding." Talking about Nisarga cyclone and COVID-19, "As we took precautions we could keep fatalities to a minimum. But war against Corona is one whose end cant be seen, we must continue our fight."

Clarifying rumours on Army deployment in Mumbai, he said," We never needed Army deployment in Maharashtra to enforce lockdown. I had suggested that we should use Army to quickly construct field hospitals in city to face bed short. I am very happy with government officials for working quickly and constructing such hospitals in 15-20 days like China." 

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan tests COVID positive; issues statement

Thackeray: 'God is within'

Dharavi which was recognised by WHO as a model to fight Coronavirus has w seen a steady decrease in cases. Thackeray shared pride at Mumbai's recognition but maintained that situation was t under control as such remarks would lead to complacency. He also maintained his refusal to reopen religious placed saying 'God is within'.

"WHO has lauded Dharavi model and even Washington Post has stated that Mumbai is only city where data is t being shielded," said Thackeray. Talking about lockdown on religious places, he said, "God is within each one of us. Gadge Baba used to visit Pandharpur, but instead of visiting temple, he used to clean banks of Chandrabhaga (river) with his broom. If someone asked him about darshan, he said 'This is my Vithoba'."

Maharashtra University Exams 2020: UGC says state govt has power to cancel exams

Thackeray cautions against early victory

Commenting on Maharashtra over 3-lakh cases, he said that just as one counted all Prime Ministers till date and took only Prime Minister Modi as current leader, one must also t count those who had recovered from COVID. He added that state government was focused on reducing fatalities by detecting virus at an early st, treating efficiently as re was cure yet. Warning against early victory in Mumbai, he said, "I can't declare that virus is under control in Mumbai because n we will become complacent".

When asked about Unlock 2, he said, "One can't lockdown suddenly or unlock suddenly. Eir one must be prepared to have lockdown as in US. Are we prepared to do that? I am t. I am t Donald Trump and can't see my people suffering in front of my eyes." Thackeray also stated that one can't open Vada-pav stalls, local trains hurriedly as it may lead to fatalities of entire families.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan tests positive; tally at 13,36,861

' final year exams w': Thackeray

Reiterating Maharashtra government's decision to defer Final year exams, contradicting Centre's order to hold exams by September, Thackeray said that it was t possible to hold exams w.  University Grants Commission (UGC), on or hand, has told Bombay High Court on July 24 that state government does t have power to make such declaration. Students have been wondering fate of ir degrees and future job prospects amid this tussle.

Commenting on ongoing UGC row, he said, "We have decided to pass Final year students as per aggregate of ir performance throughout year. Students who wish to give exams, we are ready to arrange when it is possible. We said this in May and w it is July. I do t think it is possible to hold exams by September." Talking about Centre's aide to state, he said that financial aid promised to Maharashtra was being transferred to state slowly. Explaining problems faced by all occupations, he said, "Farmers, dairy-farmers, migrants are facing job crunch and so is government. Where do I raise funds from to provide relief?"