Shiv Sena MPs won't be attending Parliament: Uddhav decides, Sanjay Raut announces

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Shiv Sena MPs have decided to not attend Parliament proceedings, which are likely to be adjourned sine die on Monday. Sena leader Sanjay Raut confirmed that parliamentarians from both houses would not be attending due to the ongoing crisis. The decision has been taken by party chief and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. 

READ | BREAKING: Uddhav Thackeray Imposes Section 144 Of CrPC In Urban Areas Of Maharashtra

Shiv Sena MPs to miss parliament proceedings

Announcing his party's stand, Sanjay Raut took to Twitter and said that the decision had been taken as a measure to fight the pandemic. 

READ: Sena Slams BJP Leader's Comment About Thackeray's Inexperience

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the total number of cases saw a surge with over 396 positive cases, which also includes foreign nationals. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of coronavirus cases, followed by Kerala. In addition, the Ministry of Health has stated that over seven people have died due to coronavirus. 

Section 144 in Maharashtra

In a massive development, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray declared that Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure will be imposed in all urban areas of the state from March 23 in the wake of the novel coronavirus crisis. In addition, he also stated that buses and trains will be stopped after the imposition of Section 144. 

However, Thackeray also stated that banks, essential services, and stock exchanges will remain open. Thackeray also urged people to work from home as far as possible. Stepping up measures, he also instructed that religious places should shut down with immediate effect. 

READ: After Thackeray's Appeal, WR Sees Drop In Train Commuter Count

Maharashtra government measures to combat COVID-19

The Maharashtra government has taken a number of steps to deal with the novel Coronavirus pandemic. Earlier, on March 13, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray declared COVID-19 as an epidemic by invoking the provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act. Moreover, he stated that gyms, swimming schools and theatres in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Pimpri-Chinchwad would be closed till March 30. A day later, the government confirmed that all schools and colleges in urban areas besides malls will be shut till March 31.  

READ: Shiv Sena Slams Goa Guv Satya Pal Malik, Says His Remark Tarnishes Reputaion Of Raj Bhavan