Guj CM tests COVID-19 nagative, casts his vote for civic polls

Days after he was foundinfected with coronavirus, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupanion Sunday tested negative for the infection, following whichhe cast his vote for the municipal corporation election in hishometown Rajkot in the evening.

Rupani, 64, had tested COVID-19 positive on February15, a day after he fainted on stage during campaigning forcivic polls in Vadodara.

Since then, he had been undergoing treatment at the UN Mehta Heart Hospital in Ahmedabad.

According to a statement issued by the ChiefMinister's Office on Sunday, he ''tested negative for COVID-19in the RT-PCR test done today''.

After he tested negative for the infection, the chiefminister was flown to Rajkot from Ahmedabad.

He reached Rajkot along with his wife Anjali Rupani inthe evening. He cast his vote at a polling booth in Rajkot'sAnil Gyanmandir School around 5.15 pm during the last hour ofpolling, that is between 5 pm and 6 pm.

He wore a face-shieldand mask while casting his vote,while all the polling staff at the booth wore PPE kits.

Rupani exercised his franchise as per the the votingguidelines issued by the State Election Commission for COVID-19 positive, suspicious or quarantined patients.

After giving his vote, the chief minister expressedhis gratitude towards the people of the state for their bestwishes and prayers for his speedy recovery. At that time, healso appealed to the people to turn out to vote saying thatvoting percentage remained low till evening.

''Due to our collective efforts, we have achievedaround 97.5 per cent of COVID-19 recovery rate,'' he toldreporters.

''In a democracy, voting is a pious duty that everybodyshould follow. Maximum voting will strengthen democracy.

Gujarat is a peaceful state, and we have kept its reputationintact (as there has been no untoward incident),'' he said.

He also wished quick recovery to COVID-19 patients inGujarat.

''I have faith that all of you will get well soon. Thestate government has put in place the best system for thetreatment of COVID-19, which I have also availed at agovernment hospital. People need not worry and get treatmentat the earliest,'' he said.

Rupani reiterated that development was the only issuein the local body elections, and said there was no alternativeto the BJP as the party is synonymous to development.

The state unit of the BJP had on Saturday announcedthat Rupani will cast his vote at the polling booth in Rajkoton Sunday.

Voting for six municipal corporations in the state washeld on Sunday.