Blasts ahead of his arrival at rally venue, five killed, PM and Modi condemn the act

Patna, 27 October 2013

Six bomb blasts took place ahead of BJP prime ministerial candidate Shri Narendra Modi’s address to Bihar BJP’s Hunkaar rally.

After the Patna railway station blast at around 9.00 am, the other blast occurred near Elphinstone cinema hall. But more serious were the blasts at the venue of Hunkaar rally in and around Gandhi maidan.

At 12:51 pm BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that even after lawlessness following the blasts, we are ready for the rally and Narendra Modiji will address rally. At 1.00 pm, Narendra Modi arrived at Gandhi maidan to address rally. Neither Modi nor other leaders mentioned the incidents of blast in their speech.

After the rally it came to light that 5 persons were dead in Patna serial blasts. Modi while concluding his speech appealed people to leave peacefully and safely. He asked people to maintain peace.

Later in his tweet Modi said, “Blasts in Patna are deeply saddening & unfortunate. Condolences with families of deceased & prayers with injured. I appeal for peace & calm.”

In another development, the Prime Minister talked to Bihar Chief Minister in connection with the blasts. On Twitter the PM office said, “the prime minister condemns the blasts which occurred at several places in Patna. He appeals to the people to maintain peace and calm” .

According to union minister of state for Home, NIA and NSG teams had left for Patna to investigate the blasts.