Meeting the families of six persons killed in serial bomb blasts during his Sunday rally, BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi today assured them of all help from the party.
Amid tight security, Modi first headed for Gaurichak in old Patna locality to convey his condolences to the kin of village Azeemchak resident Raj Narain Singh, 65, who had died in the serial blasts.
The BJP leader garlanded the photograph of Singh, sat on the floor as he consoled the family and handed them a cheque of Rs 5 lakh on behalf of the party, said Arun Sinha, BJP MLA from Kumrahr.
Singh was a farmer and an ardent follower of Jaiprakash Narayan. He had gone to Modi’s rally without informing his family, the Gujarat Chief Minister was informed by Bihar’s former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi who accompanied him.
Leader of the Opposition Nand Kishore Yadav was also present.
Sinha said the family sought a job for one of the three sons of Singh and Modi assured them he will look into it.
Singh’s other two sons are in the Army.
“Modi consoled Singh’s widow. The family was assured that the party will take care of them and they were satisfied that Modi had come to meet them,” BJP leader Ravishanakar Prasad said.
Modi’s visit was delayed by two hours this morning due to fog. As the weather opened up, he left for Gauraichak, 25 km from here, in a helicopter. He has been accorded the status of “State guest” by the Bihar government. The State guest house where he has been staying is opposite to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s official residence.
Heavy security arrangements were in place for Modi’s visit.
Besides Bihar Police personnel, 150 police officials from Gujarat, including one Additional Director-General of Police rank officer, two Deputy Inspector-Generals of Police and six Deputy Superintendents of Police level officials have come to Bihar as part of the elaborate security cover for Modi at all the places he would visit, police sources said.
As part of Z++ VVIP security arrangement for Modi, the Bihar Government has issued an alert. A DIG rank officer along with Commissioner is accompanying the Gujarat Chief Minister in all the districts he is visiting, police sources added.