Image Source: INDIA TODAY

PM Modi on Wednesday hinted that the Centre in all likelihood will be extending the nationwide lockdown that is supposed to end on April 14. At the all-party meeting via video conferencing, Prime Minister Modi told the opposition leaders and leaders of states that it is a long drawn fight. Sources said PM Modi has hinted at extending the ongoing lockdown that he announced on March 24. India was put on complete lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic for a period of 21 days. However, as the number of coronavirus cases continue to surge and deaths continue to mount, several state governments and experts pushed for an extension of the lockdown. The interaction was held through video conferencing. Apart from PM Modi, the meeting included Ghulam Nabi Azad, leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, and Nationalist Congress Party head Sharad Pawar. Sources said, these leaders were briefed by secretaries of various ministries---health, home and rural development ---on the actions taken by the government to tackle COVID-19 and mitigate the hardships arising out of the lockdown. PM Modi also said that he will be speaking to the chief ministers of the state to take a final call on the lockdown. He told the opposition leaders will speak to your CMs.