BJP MP Varun Gandhi tests positive for Covid-19

Varun Gandhi campaigning in Pilibhit. Image/Official Twitter account

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi has tested positive with "fairly strong symptoms", he informed in a tweet on Sunday.

He added, "We are now in the middle of a third wave and an election campaign. The Election Commission should extend precautionary doses to candidates and political workers as well."

Laying down Covid protocols, the ECI said that all EC officials and employees are to be treated as frontline workers, and will be eligible for the "precaution dose" of the vaccine. All election duty personnel will also be required to be doubly vaccinated.

The EC has also banned public rallies, roadshows till January 15 in the five poll-bound states, citing the fresh surge in Covid-19 cases.