Shiv Sena targets PM Modi over COVID-19 crisis

Shiv Sena on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed confidence that battle against COVID-19 would be won in 21 days, but it has been over 100 days and crisis still persists. fight against COVID-19 is more difficult than mythological war of Mahabharata, an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said, adding that battle against pandemic will continue till 2021 as disease vaccine won't be available before that.

It expressed concern over India reporting third highest COVID-19 cases in world. It is unfortunate and serious for country, which is dreaming to become a financial superpower, to report over 25,000 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, Sena said.

"We left Russia behind in terms of number of cases. We will attain number one slot in this unfortunate area if number of cases continue to go up," it said.

war of Mahabharata lasted for 18 days. Prime Minister Modi had exuded confidence (in March) that we will win this battle against COVID-19 in 21 days. But it has been over 100 days and coronavirus still persists and those fighting it have become tired, Shiv Sena said.

Patients are recovering on a big scale in Maharashtra, but situation in some areas of state turns one restless, it said citing example of Thane district, which has been a major COVID-19 hotspot. Shiv Sena said several politicians, public representatives, policemen, health workers and or administrators are getting infected by disease, and this does t suit country and states.

" coronavirus will be re and (we) need to live with it... vaccine for coronavirus will t be available before 2021...that means (we) will have to live with coronavirus at least till n, it said.

Without naming anyone or any party, Shiv Sena said questions are being raised as to for how many days lockdown will continue. But when you open door (ease restrictions), "messengers (threat) of coronavirus" are right out re, Marathi publication said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has relaxed lockdown restrictions to some extent, but threat is still t over, Sena said. It said COVID-19 must be fought even though industries, ecomy and lifestyle have been hit hard by disease.