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Amid a sharp rise in the number of cases across the country, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday demanded the Centre to convene a special session of Parliament for atleast two days to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the country.
Speaking to reporters, Raut said, "A special Parliament session should be held. I am demanding this because I have been holding discussons with several prominent leaders since yesterday over the COVID-19 situation in various states. All the leaders accepted that the situation in their states is tense and is going out of control. Only pyres are burning everywhere. There is no space left in cemeteries. It's nothing but total chaos."
"On this issue, if the Centre convenes a special parliament session for atleast two days, then the COVID situation in the country in each and every state can be openly discussed. The needs of the states in view of the pandemic will also be discussed. The prime minister, health minister, home minister can keep their views and the MPs can also discuss the situation of their respective constituencies during the session," stated the Shiv Sena leader.
He further said, "Politicisation of Remdesivir or any other medicine should not take place. I do not know what is the reason behind the helplessness of Maharashtra's opposition, but those who are engaged in black marketing and hoarding, why do people have to come in their support. Today, people are dying, they are not getting vaccines and these money-minded people support hoarders and black marketers."
His remarks came two days after the Mumbai Police detained Remdesivir supplier for allegedly exporting the anti-viral drug despite the ban on Saturday, but late in the evening, former Maharashtra chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis went to the police station in favour of the supplier.
Maharashtra is among the 10 states reporting 78.58 per cent of the new cases in the country, according to the Union health ministry. The state reported the highest daily new cases at 68,631 in the last 24 hours, the ministry informed. It further said Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties at 503 in the last 24 hours.