75 Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and staff at the party headquarters in Bihar have tested positive for COVID-19.
Notably, Bihar is gearing up for Assembly Elections, scheduled to be held later this year. As per reports, the leaders could have assembled at one place from where they caught the infection.
Samples of more than 100 leaders and staff working at BJP HQ in Patna were collected yesterday.
However, Bihar BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal said that "only 24 samples are positive. These reports are of preliminary rapid tests and we are still awaiting the results of the comprehensive QT-RPR. None of those who have tested positive are having any symptoms. Yet, by way of abundant caution, they have all quarantined themselves at home"
"Samples of 110 people were collected. These included not just party functionaries but all other staff members hired for running errands," he added.
Bihar BJP general secretary Devesh Kumar, state general secretary (organisation) Nagendra, state vice-presidents Radhan Mohan Sharma and Rajesh Sharma are among the leaders found to be infected with the virus.
The party office complex situated on the Bir Chand Patel Marg was being sanitised.