Patna:
Five people were killed and 75 injured in seven crude bomb explosions in Patna before Narendra Modi arrived at the city's Gandhi Maidan to address thousands of supporters and launch his party's campaign for the national election, due by May. Mr Modi is the BJP's candidate for Prime Minister. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condemned the blasts.
Here are the highlights of his speech: - Today there were blasts in Patna at various places
- Around 9.30 am there was a blast in the toilet of the railway station
- 5 people have died, and 1 person, who was injured in the station blast, is critical
- Injured are being treated at PMCH
- Police are investigating the blasts. They are also diffusing bombs
- One cop was injured while diffusing
- Patna serial blasts were an attempt to disrupt law and order in Bihar
- One person who was running away after the blast at the station is being questioned
- Police feels that they will get important leads from this man. Various numbers and papers have been recovered from him
- The security of the rally was handled by Bihar police and administration
- Yesterday we found a suitcase at the rally venue, we did not find anything suspicious but we asked police to be alert
- Someone wants to disturb the situation in the state. It may be a political opposition to us
- I appeal for calm
- It is matter of concern for us. There have been political rivalries but there has been no history of confrontation at such events
- We need to continue this practice because some elements want to spoil the environment of the state
- Date and place of the blast is very significant
- Prime Minister called me. I spoke to the Home Minister. Advani ji also called. Everyone is concerned
- All political parties, irrespective of their ideologies, should not let such elements succeed
- We had no intelligence input from state or central agencies
- Govt compensation of 5 lakh to the family of the dead
- Medical expenses of the injured will be borne by the state government
- Police and investigating agencies need to be given some time to complete their probe
- Would like to tell BJP that there was no lack in preparations by the state government
- It is a challenge for the entire state of Bihar
- Nobody had any inkling of this. Can't say there was a lapse
- No political conspiracy. Bihar has no tradition of political conspiracy
- It is a simplification to call it a security lapse
- We had no input from state or central agencies and that is a matter of concern
- People can say anything to accuse and counter-accuse
- I wouldn't like to say that Bihar politics is moving towards violence
- We need to be more alert
- There was no intelligence input but can't call it intelligence failure
- Some people are very clever
- Let the investigating agencies speak about the person who has been arrested