Modi's 'light up lamps' message disappointing, says NCP

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for lighting doorsteps or balcony on 5 April at 9 pm for nine minutes.

Two senior ministers in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, Dr. Jitendra Awhad and Nawab Malik lashed came down heavily on Modi.

"The whole world is fighting a fierce battle against COVID-19. Governments, doctors, scientists, paramedics are dropping everything else and are focused on this. Huge financial packages are announced, production of necessary medical equipment is up in full swing, poor and marginalized are being looked after in other countries, R&D laboratories are burning the midnight oil to invent a vaccine or antidote. And Prime Minister of India asks people to light lamps and candles. Is this some kind of a joke?," said Awhad, who holds the housing portfolio.

"All he is consistently giving people is sedatives such as clap, bang the utensils and light the lamps like a celebration or events. His blind, irrational followers will do it dutifully, oblivious that they too are being cheated. They will not think even for a minute how this will help to tide over the alarming situation. His cockamamie and gimmicks is a narcotic they are addicted to. On his part, PM is more than happy to peddle this drug as it hides his bankruptcy of will and ability to take any concrete action," he said.

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"I will share the cost of the same oil with some poor and needy. Let Modi know one cardinal truth that you can not fool all the people all the time," he added.

Malik, who is the minority affairs minister and the chief spokesperson said: "The speech was disheartening".

Pawar's grandnephew and MLA Rohit Pawar tweeted: "Prime minister @narendramodi ji is aiming to bring the country together through lights & if so, we should welcome this thought. Likewise, as a citizen of this country I urge you to place the flag of our country as a DP of your social media accounts for a message of solidarity."