Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is facing a backlash after his 23-year-old nephew had received the COVID-19 vaccine. Devendra Fadnasvis’s nephew Tanmay Fadnavis reportedly had shared a picture of him getting the second vaccine dose at Nagpur’s National Cancer Institute, a post that he later deleted.
According to the current rules, only those above the age of 45 are eligible to get vaccinated. Tanmay’s post was widely circulated on social media with users criticising the BJP leader for promoting a VIP culture in the state.
Tanmay Fadnavis is the son of Devendra Fadnavis' paternal cousin Abhijit Fadnavis and grandson of senior BJP leader and former MLA Shobhatai Fadnavis, who is the ex-chief minister’s aunt.
Meanwhile, Devendra Fadnavis stated on Monday that Tanmay is a distant relative. “I have no idea under which criteria he received his Covid dose. If it has been taken as per the guidelines, then there should be no objection to it. But if it is in violation of guidelines, it is completely improper. My wife and daughter have also not received vaccination because they don’t qualify for it yet, under the existing criteria. I am of the firm opinion that everybody must follow the rules,” the statement said.
Devendra Fadnavis’s wife Amruta Fadnavis also took to Twitter to defend her husband, calling for patience while the law takes its course.
Sharing the picture of Tanmay, Congress also cornered the former Chief Minister and questioned how could Fadnavis' nephew get vaccinated if he was less than 45 years of age.
Several Twitter users also had a hilarious take on the issue and shared funny memes on the entire controversy.