West Bengal elections: Rahul Gandhi suspends public rallies in view of Covid-19 surge
Kolkata: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that he will be suspending his remaining rallies in West Bengal due to the massive surge in coronavirus and urged all political leaders to “think about the consequences of holding large public rallies”.
“In view of the Covid situation, I am suspending all my public rallies in West Bengal. I would advise all political leaders to think deeply about the consequences of holding large public rallies under the current circumstances,” Gandhi wrote on Twitter.
In view of the Covid situation, I am suspending all my public rallies in West Bengal.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 18, 2021
I would advise all political leaders to think deeply about the consequences of holding large public rallies under the current circumstances.
Despite the surge in daily Covid-19 cases, election campaigning in Bengal continues to be in full swing. On Sunday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to hold multiple rallies and roadshows in the state.
Meanwhile, The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday extended the silence period to 72 hours from the existing 48 hours for the remaining three phases of the West Bengal assembly elections.
The EC also ordered that no campaigning would be allowed in the state between 7pm and 10am on campaign day, due to the risks posed by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.