Will face all political storms: Uddhav amid Kangana row

Facing flak from detractors on both political and coronavirus fronts, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said a conspiracy is afoot to malign Maharashtra.

"Whatever political storms come, I will face... I will fight coronavirus too," Thackeray said in a televised public address.

A day after COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra crossed the 10-lakh mark, Thackeray said his government has done effective work to tackle the pandemic.

Speaking in the backdrop of political criticism over demolition of actress Kangana Ranaut's bungalow in Mumbai and the way his government handled the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, Thackeray assured people that he would fight the political crisis too.

"I will have to remove the mask of chief minister to respond to politics. I don't speak doesn't mean I don't have answers," Thackeray said.

Speaking on the state government's "Mission Begin Again" campaign during the pandemic, Thackeray said his administration effectively tackled the COVID-19 situation, cyclones and floods and will also deal with the political storm with people's support.

Thackeray said the pandemic is showing no sign of a respite and the virus is spreading in rural Maharashtra as well. "But the number of patients recovering is also more. Facts and figures show that if detected early, all patients recover fast," he said.

Asking people not to take the pandemic lightly, he said wearing masks, observing physical distancing, avoiding crowding and face-to-face contact with people is the only option as of now.

"We have slowly started to open up under Mission Begin Again. Some people think they can indulge in politics as part of Mission Begin Again. There is a conspiracy to defame and malign Maharashtra," he said.

He said the state government also reached out to the affected people during Nisarga cyclone and the floods in east Vidarbha and provided relief.

"Over 29 lakh farmers have benefited through the farm loan waiver scheme and Rs 700 crore have been disbursed towards relief and rehabilitation of those affected by the Nisarga cyclone," he said, adding Rs 18 crore have been given as immediate relief for floods in Vidarbha.

Thackeray said his government was doing its best to deal with all challenges.

"We should share our responsibilities to make the "my family, my responsibility" campaign (against coronavirus) which begins on September 15 a success. This war can be won only with people's wholehearted support," he said.

It is not feasible for the government to undertake check-up of each and every one of the 12 crore populace of the state, he said.

The Supreme Court's interim stay on implementation of the Maratha quota was unexpected, Thackeray said.

The Maratha quota bill was unanimously passed by the state legislature and the legal team hired by the previous Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government was arguing in the apex court, he said.

Thackeray appealed to Maratha organisations to refrain from holding protests and demonstrations during the pandemic.

"The government is firmly with the cause of justice to Maratha community and is working on how to proceed ahead. I have spoken to Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis who is in Bihar now and he has assured the BJP's complete support," he said.

A decision on extension of the lockdown would depend on how the people follow the pandemic protocols, he said.

"While using public transport, don't speak, avoid face-to-face contact," he said.

On criticism that he doesn't venture out, Thackeray said , "I have been using technology to reach out to all parts of the state to review the pandemic situation and issue directives."