Gujarat BJP leader violates covid guidelines

BJP president C R Patil's four-day tour of Saurashtra region triggered controversy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. When Gujarat has been witnessing an everyday surge in coronavirus cases, people attending Patil's campaign were found violating COVID-19 imposed safety norms.

Ahmedabad (Gujarat): Ahead of the Gujarat by-election, the state BJP president C R Patil's four-day tour of Saurashtra region thronged a huge crowd, flouting all the safety norms of COVID-19 pandemic.

When Gujarat has been witnessing every day over 1000 coronavirus positive cases, in such case Patil’s election tour became a much controversial issue.

He started his tour after having darshan at the Somnath temple, which triggered the controversy. While all the religious institutions were expected to be closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, then how the regulation was not being imposed for Patil's election campaign.

Besides, the police force deployed for the state party president’s security were mute spectators to the flagrant violation of social distancing rules by the party leaders during the campaign.

People attending Patil's meeting were not found wearing face masks even though the administration has imposed a fine of Rs 1000 for the violation of the rule.

The by-election will be held to eight assembly seats of Gujarat, among them, four are from the Saurashtra region. To win these seats, Patil has launched his election campaign.

The election is likely to be held between September end and November this year, though the election commission has not yet announced the exact date.