Rahul Gandhi a model for opposition during crisis, says Shiv Sena

Uddhav Thackery-led Shiv Sena praised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for taking a stand amidst the coronavirus pandemic and leading by example as a responsible opposition leader. Shiv Sena also claimed that Gandhi has demonstrated how a responsible opposition party should behave during a crisis.

Shiv Sena is in alliance with the Congress and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the state of Maharashtra. Sena also heaped praises for Gandhi for his call towards a united fight against coronavirus, and for his remarks that he disagrees with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on many issues but this is not the time to fight.

In its mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, Shiv Sena stated that PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi must hold one-to-one conversations to discuss the pandemic which has now infected over 14,000 people in India and taken 500 lives.

Sena, while taking a jibe at BJP, stated that Gandhi has created a model code of conduct over the role of a responsible opposition in the wake of a nationwide crisis. The Congress leader had identified the COVID-19 threat well in advance and also warned the central government to take important steps.

Related News: Lockdown not a solution, need aggressive COVID-19 testing: Rahul

Additionally, Congress President Sonia Gandhi constituted a consultative group headed by ManmohanSingh, former Prime Minister, to discuss the coronavirus outbreak and deliberate on the party’s views. According to an HT report, the 11-member group comprises Rahul Gandhi, general secretary in charge KC Venugopal, Randeep Singh Surjewala, chief spokesperson and other former union ministers like P Chidambaram.

Congress has been repeatedly demanding increased testing for COVID-19 and scaling up of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers. The Congress Working Committee has been interacting with top leaders of the country to discuss the nationwide crisis. The committee has also urged the government to take steps for mitigating the problems faced by migrant labourers and farmers.

Shiv Sena added that Rahul Gandhi repeatedly urged the Centre to halt the export of medical equipment needed for treating coronavirus patients. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi also claimed that the lockdown is just a pause button to fight the coronavirus crisis. Once the lockdown is lifted, the infection will spread again. Due to this, the capacity of conducting tests should be maximised across the country.

Sena, while defending his statement, said that the lockdown will create time and space for the government to create medical facilities. A concrete strategy is required for the country to come out of the lockdown.

(With inputs from agencies)