BJP MP Varun Gandhi tests Covid ‘with very strong symptoms’, calls for boosters for poll candidates

BJP MP Varun Gandhi, who has tested positive for coronavirus, urged the Election Commission to provide precautionary doses of COVID vaccine to election candidates and political workers ahead of assembly elections in 5 states.

BJP MP Varun Gandhi has tested positive for Covid-19 (file photo)

BJP MP Varun Gandhi on Sunday took to Twitter to share the news that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was experiencing “strong symptoms”.

The BJP leader also expressed concern over the shocking rise in the number of COVID cases in the country while assembly elections in five major states are on the horizon.

A day after the Election Commission of India announced the dates for the assembly elections and COVID measures to ensure that elections are held safely, Varun Gandhi urged the Election Commission to take some more precautionary measures to protect the health of candidates and political workers. invited to present.

“Now we are in the middle of third wave and campaigning. The Election Commission should also give a precautionary dose to candidates and political workers,” said Varun Gandhi.

In order to conduct ‘COVID-safe’ elections, the Election Commission has asked the Chief Secretaries of the polled states to expedite the vaccination of all citizens above the age of 18 years and ensure precautionary dosing for all election officials, who are called frontline workers. designated as.

The Election Commission has also banned public rallies, road shows and corner meetings till January 15 and issued stringent safety guidelines in the five poll-bound states, citing the fresh spurt in COVID-19 cases.

The Election Commission held a meeting with health and home secretaries and health experts before deciding to hold the assembly elections.

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said on Saturday, “There is no need to panic, but there is a need to exercise caution. Polling officers and booths are safe.”

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