NCP not asked about CM Uddhav's lockdown extension; Sharad Pawar to express 'displeasure'

Amid rifts within Maha Vikas Aghadi over LAC situation, sources have reported that NCP Chief Sharad Pawar along with or NCP leaders are expected to meet Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday to express ir displeasure over lockdown extension.

According to sources, NCP and Congress leaders were t aware of Uddhav Thackeray-led government's decision to extend lockdown till July 31. It is said that y only got to kw about it only when  tification was released on June 29. NCP Chief is likely to raise this decision during his meeting, as per sources. 

Earlier Congress and NCP had expressed ir displeasure accusing Uddhav Thackeray of depending more on bureaucrats than his alliance partners, alleging that alliance members were being 'sidelined'.

NCP-Congress at loggerheads 

Earlier this week, re were also tensions between Congress and NCP after Sharad Pawar supported Centre over LAC situation hitting out at Rahul Gandhi and reminding him that China had captured around 45,000 sq. km of country's land after 1962 war. Pawar had also said that this land remained in China's possession even when Congress was in power. 

Shortly after this, Congress leader and Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Raut slammed NCP supremo reminding him that latter had served as Defence Minister during Congress rule, questioning Pawar on why he had t corrected alleged "mistake" committed by Congress party.

Read: PIL Filed In Bombay HC For Direction To Maharashtra Govt To Reduce Inflated Power Bills

Read: Maharashtra Government Extends Lockdown Till July 31; n-essential Travel Restricted

Lockdown extended in Maharashtra 

On Monday, Maharashtra government officially anunced that lockdown would be extended in entire state till midnight of July 31. This comes a day after Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray indicated that it was t possible to remove lockdown post-June 30. Wearing face covers or masks, maintaining social distancing, restricted garings, and or measures shall continue to prevail. With 5,537 fresh cases of COVID-19, Maharashtra on Wednesday reported its highest single-day count of viral infection, taking a total number of confirmed coronavirus cases to 1,80,298.

Read: COVID-19: Maharashtra Clocks Record One-day Spike Of 5537 Cases; Death Toll Tops 8000

Read: Rift Within MVA On LAC Faceoff As Congress Questions Sharad Pawar's Defence Min Tenure