PM Modi speaks to oppn leaders over COVID-19 situation in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (April 5) dialled up several opposition leaders, including former prime ministers and presidents, to discuss the situation arising out of the novel coronavirus pandemic in the country.

This included former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda, and former presidents Pranab Mukherjee and Pratibha Patil.

Other leaders he spoke to were Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, DMK’s MK Stalin, and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal.

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This round of calls to opposition leaders came roughly two weeks after the prime minister announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown, hoping to break the chain of transmission of the deadly virus that has claimed at least 77 lives across the country so far.

According to NDTV sources, this outreach was part of the Modi government’s wider consultations focussed on the modalities of lifting the lockdown. Modi had discussed this matter during a video conference with several chief ministers last week.

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The prime minister will also interact with floor leaders of various political parties via video conference on Wednesday. So far, India has reported a total of 3,374 positive cases of coronavirus, which includes 77 deaths.

PM Modi has also appealed to people across the country to light diyas, candles, or even mobile flash lights for nine minutes at 9 pm on Sunday to show the country’s collective resolve to fight coronavirus.

(With inputs from agencies)