COVID-19: Telangana CM asks PM Modi to extend lockdown

The Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider extending the nationwide 21-day lockdown period.

Speaking to the media on Monday night, the CM stated that India may not be able to handle if the situation escalates due to the lockdown being hastily lifted. KCR has appealed to extend the lockdown for two more weeks after the current 21 lockdown ends on April 15. 

"The lockdown is the reason the country is saved andhas seen very few cases. A country like India has to be careful otherwise itwill become uncontrollable. We have no other choice except to obey thelockdown. The economy will get hurt and we are spending a lot of money. Atleast we are not seeing deaths like Italy, Spain and the US," KCR said.

Stating that he was in constant touch with the PrimeMinister, KCR said, "I told the Prime Minister that the lockdown should beextended. At least some of the restrictions should stay for a bit more.Otherwise, India will not be able to handle things if the lockdown is hastilylifted."

KCR further added that the country can recover from aneconomic problem but we cannot recover lives. "In a country like India with apoor infrastructure and with a lot of working force, the only way for us is alockdown. I appeal to the Government of India and Prime Minister to extend thelockdown without hesitation, consult Chief Ministers of all states, throughvideo conferencing, am sure something positive will come."