Overzealous Maha Min defies PM on April 5 gesture, gets snubbed by the Master

Jitendra Awhad criticizes PM as NCP MLA, Grandson of Sharad Pawar Rohit Pawar appreciates the gesture.

Mumbai: Amidst rising scare of Covid-19 pandemic in the country the Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Friday morning. Contrary to the anticipation that he will announce some stern measures against those errant people who are defying lockdown and helping spread of Covid-19, he appealed the citizens to switch off all the lights at 9 pm on April 5 and light candles, lamps and even mobile phone flash lights for nine minutes in solidarity with each other and to defeat the darkness that has loomed large due to the pandemic.

The address and the appeal, has evoked extreme reactions from the supporters and the opposing people and political leaders while the supporters are, as expected lauding the idea, the opposition, as anticipated has come down heavily on Prime Minister.  Both, the supporters and the opposition have grabbed the opportunity to address and please their constituency over the address. Maharashtra has reported 393 Covid-19 patients and 16 deaths till now while 42 patients have been cured.

NCP leader and Housing Minister, Maharashtra Jitendra Awhad took a swipe at the Prime Minister over the appeal. In a video messages posted on social media Awhad resorted to bitter criticism of the Prime Minister Modi. He said, “I will not switch off the lights. I will not waste money on candle and oil for lamps. Our future is already in dark. Lighting a candle or a lamp cannot be the solution to the crisis we are currently going through.”

According to Awhad, Prime Minister Modi has failed the nation when everyone had pinned hopes for some soothing words and relief from him. “Instead of talking on medicine, vaccine, masks, sanitisation, providing financial help to the state, he spoke about candles, lamps and mobile flash lights. I refuse to follow this. I will not waste my money on candles and oil for the lamps, instead I will distribute food among the poor and needy,” Awhad said.

The video message soon went viral and hit the limelight. However, the joy of hitting the Prime Minister hard, was short lived as his party colleague and grandson of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Rohit Pawar applauded Modi for his appeal. In a tweet, Pawar said, “Prime Minister Modi must have done it with an intention. If it is so, the appeal must be welcomed. As a citizen of India, I appeal, let us put National Flag as DP on our social media accounts to strengthen the unity.”

The stark contradiction in the reactions has given rise to speculations about confusion and misunderstanding among the top leadership of NCP. Jitendra Awhad could not be reached for his version. Text messages sent to him were unanswered.