Mumbai, May 22

Countering BJP’s criticism over the duration of his visit to cyclone-hit Konkan region of Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said he was at least taking stock of the situation on ground and not conducting an aerial survey in a helicopter.

His remarks were apparently aimed at PM Narendra Modi, who recently conducted an aerial survey in Gujarat, where cyclone Tauktae wreaked havoc earlier this week. Thackeray on Friday visited Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts in Konkan in the aftermath of the cyclone and directed the authorities to complete the crop loss assessment within two days.

However, state BJP leaders targeted him over the duration of his visit. Former CM Devendra Fadnavis said he was surprised to know that Thackeray was making political comments during his “merely three-hour long” tour of Konkan. Leader of Opposition Pravin Darekar sought to know how the CM could understand in “just three hours” the extent of damage caused by the cyclone.

“It’s okay if my tour lasted four hours. At least I am on the ground taking stock of the situation and not in a helicopter for a photo session… I am a photographer myself. I have not come here to respond to opposition's criticism,” Thackeray said during a visit to Malvan in Sindhudurg — PTI