Narendra Modi condoles loss of lives at his Patna rally

PATNA: BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, whose address at the 'Hunkar Rally' here today was preceeded by serial blasts that claimed five lives, expressed his condolences in a Facebook post soon afterwards.

"Blasts in Patna are deeply saddening & unfortunate. Condolences with families of deceased & prayers with injured. I appeal for peace & calm," Modi wrote in his post.

The Gujarat Chief Minister made no mention of the blasts in his hour-long speech, but at the end of it he asked the huge gathering to go back home 'safely'.

Five people were killed and 66 injured in six serial bomb blasts near the venue of rally here minutes before Modi reached there to address a huge gathering.

Hours before the multiple explosions, a crude bomb went off in a newly constructed toilet at the Patna railway station, two km from the rally venue.