Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray skips the winter session due to an increase in COVID-19 cases

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray did not appear in the legislature for the winter session, which ended on Tuesday, despite numerous announcements. Thackeray had recently visited the Vidhan Bhavan, was supposed to attend the proceedings, but he decided to work from his official house Varsha due to the mounting COVID-19 and Omicron cases. On the 21st and 23rd of December, Thackeray was virtually present at the cabinet meeting. Following that, he chaired the COVID 19 Task Force via video conference. The cabinet meeting on December 27 was also digitally chaired by CM.

The absence of Thackeray on the first day of the Maharashtra assembly session on December 22 sparked speculation about his health. "If the Chief Minister is unable to attend the winter session, he should appoint someone to conduct business on his behalf." Patil had observed, "It is unacceptable for the Chief Minister to remain away from legislative procedures," forcing Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray to intervene. "The Chief Minister is in good health. I called him and spoke with him. "He'll come whenever he wants," Aaditya remarked. If the Chief Minister does not trust Congress and the NCP, Patil advised that Aaditya be assigned a charge. This has come at a time when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2022 are around the corner and Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government receives fresh attacks from the opposition for Chief Minister’s absence.

Image Courtesy: @CMOMaharashtra