I'm not ready to let people die by lifting lockdown in one go: Uddhav Thackeray

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday indicated that the lockdown in the state will remain for the next few days. Thackeray said that as the decision to impose lockdown in a hurry was a wrong move, lifting it in a hasty manner would also be a mistake. "It is true that people are getting bored, but what if lifting it leads to a spike in cases, and people die of virus, what will you do then about the livelihood issue, are you ready to face such a situation? questioned Thackeray.
Shiv Sena president Thackeray, in the first part of interview in ‘Saamna’, party mouthpiece, by its executive editor Sanjay Raut, clarified that the state will go slow on restarting the routine. “I am not ready to let people die by lifting the lockdown on one go. I am not Trump (Donald). If you do not care for life, you should decide it first and be prepared for the worst, however, I am not ready for such a situation,” said Thackeray.
The CM said curbing cases on one hand, while starting the process of unlocking, is like ‘walking on a tightrope’. Replying to the question on resuming local train services, the chief minister said, “Decide once and for all, either this way or that way. People are asking to resume local train services, restarting vada pav stalls, but remember one thing, unlocking may affect entire families through infection. Who will unlock the door of the houses, if the family living in it is not alive,” said Thackeray.
He also said that people should accept and learn to live with Coronavirus by maintaining hygiene and adhering to social distancing norms. He also said that though Maharashtra and Mumbai have recorded 3 lakh and 1 lakh patients respectively, the figures also include those who have recovered from the infection. While asked if the situation is under control in Mumbai, “I will not comment as of now, don’t want to make a statement hastily,” said Thackeray.
While taunting opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis over his Delhi visit, “He (Fadnavis) must have observed the Covid-19 situation in Delhi.”
“Fadnavis spoke about the dire situation in Maharashtra by visiting Delhi, because he gave his MLA fund to Delhi. I am doing my work honestly. I don't have to worry, as long as people of Maharashtra trust me. Some may experience stomach ache, which could be also a symptom of Covid-19, as symptoms of the virus are now varying,” Thackeray taunted.
Thackeray also seconded the NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s statement about Ayodhya that some people think that building a temple will eradicate coronavirus however avoid reacting to it. While opening temples, Thackeray said, “God says don’t come to me as I am there inside a human."