Did people recover from COVID-19 by eating ‘bhabhiji ke papad’? asks Sanjay Raut

Hitting out at Bhartiya Janata Party MP Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, who criticised Maharashtra’s government on Wednesday over its coronavirus response, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut iterated his government’s successes in fighting the virus. He said he has a personal experience with the danger of coronavirus as his elderly mother and younger brother are in the ICU, ailing from COVID-19.

Many people in Maharashtra are recovering also, Raut said. Virus outbreak in Dharavi is under control and the World Health Organization praised the BMC’s efforts, the MP said.

How did so many people recover? “Kya log ‘bhabhiji papad’ kha ke theek ho gaye?” (Did COVID-19 patients recover by eating ‘bhabhiji papad’), Raut said, taking a swipe at Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal who endorsed the brand. 

The minister while endorsing the brand said that it had ingredients that would help develop antibodies against coronavirus.

While speaking in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Raut said the fight against coronavirus isn’t political. Maharashtra government is fighting against COVID-19 by following the protocol laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, the MP said. 

He also spoke on the PM CARES fund. The Centre has stopped funds for PPE kits, masks and other materials from September 1, he said. “It will cost Maharashtra government Rs 50 crore a day. What is the PM CARES fund for if not for States?” he asked the central government.