Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh on Wednesday lashed out at the union home ministry and held it responsible for the spread of coronavirus.

Deshmukh said that coronavirus spread in the country like wildfire as the union home ministry failed to stop the gathering organised by the Tablighi Jamaat in New Delhi in March

“Why was permission given for the Ijtema organised by the Tablighi Jamaat at its headquarters in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area?” Deshmukh questioned in a statement issuing a statement.

He further said that he wondered about the “secret talks” between Jamaat chief Maulana Saad and National security adviser Ajit Doval.

Deshmukh further questioned as to why is Maulana Saad absconding after Doval visited the Jamaat headquarters.

The Maharashtra home minister further said that he wanted to know as to why Ajit Doval and Delhi Police Commissioner are maintaining a stoic silence on the issue.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader on Tuesday warned that 50 to 60 Jamaat members, who attended the Nizamuddin programme, would be subjected to stern for not reporting to the authorities despite several appeals.

Maharashtra on Tuesday became the first state to record over 1,000 positive COVID-19 cases.