A day after meeting several party leaders for the induction of actor Payal Ghosh into the Republican Party of India (A), Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. Ghosh who has been named as the vice president of women's wing, was not the only person to attend the meet. Several other people had also joined the RPI (A) in Athawale's presence on Monday.
While photos from the event had shown most people wearing masks, there was not much by way of social distancing. At the same time, it must be mentioned that for many, including Athawale, the photos indicate that the mask had at times been perched below the nose on only across the chin.
The RPI (A) chief had earlier famously coined the phrase "go corona go", urging the novel coronavirus to stop its virulent spread. While that does not seem to have worked out greatly in his favour today, it had become a rallying cry of sorts as the country fought against the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to an India Today report, the Union Minister had gotten himself tested hours after the induction event after suffering from a cough and body pain. Reportedly, he has been admitted to Bombay Hospital as a precautionary measure.
Further details awaited.
