The man, who hails from Tiruchirappalli is contesting this election under the gas stove symbol, was seen seeking votes at the city’s Gandhi Market from people and vegetable vendors.

State Education Minister Seema Trikha, who visited the injured students at hospitals, said a showcause notice has been issued to the private school to explain why it was open on Thursday despite it being a holiday on account of Eid.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said his mother was in a Varanasi hospital for 27 days but he was not allowed to go. “People tried that I am released for some time so that I could meet my mother..was not given (parole),” he said.