Narendra Modi meets families of Patna blast victims amid heavy security

New Delhi: BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who arrived in Patna last night, is meeting the families of the six people who were killed in serial blasts ahead of his massive 'Hunkar' rally on Sunday.

All the six people killed in the blasts belonged to six different districts of Bihar. So, the Gujarat Chief Minister will cover 1,062 km as he visits six villages in Gaurichak, Kaimur, Gopalganj, Supaul, Begusarai and Nalanda districts of Bihar. He is also handing a cheque of Rs 5 lakh to each family.

Due to dense fog, the Gujarat Chief Minister's visit was delayed by two hours this morning. Mr Modi made his first stop at Gaurichak, where he met the family of Raj Narain Singh, one of the blast victims, and assured them of all help from his party, the BJP.

His next stop was in Kaimur. "In Kaimur, met the wife and children of Shaheed Vikas Singh and offered my deepest condolences to the family," Mr Modi tweeted.

But as the chopper carrying Mr Modi took off for Gopalganj, dense fog forced the pilot to return to Patna, where they decided to re-fuel.

Mr Modi has now left for Begusarai to meet the families of other blast victims.

After Sunday's blasts, Mr Modi's security has been upped considerably by the union government. For his Patna visit, 35 Black Cat Commandos from the NSG and 70 from Gujarat are escorting him. The Gujarat police force has also sent seven bomb disposal squads to search different places he will visit. Metal detectors are being placed near the homes of the families is visiting today. (Read: For Narendra Modi's return to Patna, Gujarat to send 7 bomb disposal squads)

Meanwhile, the BJP has slammed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for not meeting the families of the victims, saying Mr Modi will compensate for that callousness.

However, Mr Kumar hit out at the BJP, which is marching from village to village with the ashes of the people killed in the blasts. Mr Kumar said the BJP is trying to do everything to disturb the communal harmony in the state, a charge that has been denied by the BJP. (Read: Nitish Kumar takes on BJP for marching with ashes of Patna blast victims)

In June this year, Mr Kumar pulled the plug on a 17-year alliance with the BJP over its decision to promote Mr Modi to the main player in its election campaign.Mr Kumar relies heavily on the support of Bihar's Muslim voters.  

After the communal riots of 2002 in Gujarat, which took place on Mr Mdi's watch, he distanced himself from the BJP leader, describing him as a polarizing figure, who has lost the confidence of Muslims.