Many contradictions in Maharashtra lockdown order: Devendra Fadnavis

After giving support to the Maharashtra government on the lockdown, there are now misgivings within the opposition as they have questioned the government over the 'contradictions' in its order detailing the restrictions. On Tuesday, Maharashtra opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis wrote to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, saying that the state government needed to revisit the stringent guidelines and have a dialogue with the stakeholders, especially as the rules were quite contradictory.

The BJP leader pointed out that while the government had allowed vehicle movement, it had shut down auto service centres and spare parts shops. The opposition leader also said when Thackeray called him up seeking support for the lockdown, he was under the impression that it would only be for two days. However, it is now going to be for the entire month and hence the decision needs to be revisited, Fadnavis wrote.

The BJP leader said small shops, including barber shops, small hoteliers and retailers, and other small establishments should be taken in to account before the guidelines being finalised. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, who had after a phone call with the CM had supported the lockdown, also said there were contradictions in the state government rules and also wanted those to be relooked.

Raj Thackeray, while speaking to reporters on Tuesday, pointed out that the state government had allowed companies and manufacturers to produce goods but shops were not allowed to sell those. There are other contradictions too, he said. For instance, the state has allowed construction activity to go on, however cement shops are shut.