People were scared that there could be another round of lockdown: NCP takes dig at PM Modi

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held interaction with chief ministers over the coronavirus situation, the NCP on Friday took a dig at him saying it was good that a lockdown was not announced this time unlike in the past when it was imposed "without taking people into confidence and without any consideration".

NCP's chief spokesperson and Maharashtra Minority Affair Minister Nawab Malik said, "People were scared that there could be another round of lockdown, but it is a good thing that PM Narendra Modi, in his interaction with chief ministers, asked the states to take decisions based on the situation prevailing at the local level. When there was no COVID-19, a lockdown was announced without any consideration and without taking people into confidence."

"Now there are many cases of COVID-19, but people are taking precautions. It is good that a lockdown was not announced," he said.

Malik targeted the BJP over several of its leaders giving their resignations in UP in the run-up to the assembly elections. "The exodus of state ministers and MLAs of BJP is not going to stop. The five-year-long rule of arrogance, the move of insulting others, spreading fear in villages seem to be the reasons behind BJP losing its leaders,” he said.

“I think the BJP will lose more leaders in the coming days. These are clear indications of change in Uttar Pradesh and the BJP is losing the battle," said Malik.