Taking aim at Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari over his letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena said Koshyari should be recalled if Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah wish to preserve the 'prestige' of Raj Bhavan. In a stinging editorial in Saamana, Sena claimed that using the Governor’s office to attack the state government has proved costly for the BJP in Maharashtra. In an official letter demanding the immediate reopening of places of worship, Koshyari had asked Uddhav if he has turned 'secular'. Thackeray responded saying he did not need his Hindutva credentials certified by Koshyari. The Saamana editorial said opening places of worship will lead to spike in Covid-19 infections in the state which has recorded most number of cases and deaths in India.
The Saamana editorial justified the chief minister’s response to Koshyari’s letter. “Even the gods must be ringing the temple bells in happiness,” it said. “If the sound of ringing bells has reached Modi and Shah, then they will recall the Governor to preserve the prestige of Raj Bhavan.”
Editorial | Governor Koshyari needs to be reminded of document he committed to upholding when he took oath of office.
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s letter to CM Uddhav Thackeray. (ANI)Restaurants have opened with strict COVID-19 safety protocol, but reopening temples will see crowding, it said. If the BJP wants temples to reopen, then there should be a national policy, it said. Several important temples in the country are closed, it added.