Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij was conspicuous by his absence at the poll rally addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Thanesar here on Tuesday, with an aide saying the Ambala Cantt legislator fell ill and was, therefore, unable to attend.
Vij is a five-time MLA from Ambala Cantonment and his absence became a talking point at the rally when the prime minister was introducing each BJP candidate from 21 constituencies in the five districts Kurukshetra, Ambala, Panchkula, Yamunanagar and Karnal.
While the 20 candidates walked up to the dais when Modi took their names, Vij was not seen despite the prime minister calling his name towards the end of the rally.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who is an MLA from Karnal, was present.
An aide of Vij said the minister was on his way to the rally venue but he started coughing and was unable to speak.
Vij was also running fever and keeping in view his health, those accompanying the minister advised him to return. He later consulted doctors and took rest; he also cancelled his remaining programmes scheduled for the day, the aide said.
Haryana goes to polls on October 21 and results will be declared on October 24.
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