heatwave-forces-candidates-to-shift-to-cooler-evening-campaigns-in-odisha

With intense heatwave sweeping across peninsular India amid the biggest elections in the world, political parties are changing tactics to stay away from the heat.

With day temperatures in Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts of Odisha hovering between 39 and 42 degrees Celsius, political parties focus more on evening meetings and small village gatherings while campaigning for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Malkangiri district under Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seat recorded the highest temperature of 42 degrees Celsius recently. 

In Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more heat waves in the coming days.

Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nikunj B Dhal has advised that political parties and candidates undertake election campaigning with proper measures to beat the heat.

Many candidates are changing their calendars and opting for evening campaigns and small meetings. Even the public is hesitant to step out in the scorching sun.

BJP candidate for Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seat Balabhadra Majhi told PTI, "I had prepared a chart for my campaigning soon after the declaration of the tickets but altered my campaigning itinerary due to the scorching temperature, focusing more on evening meetings and small village gatherings."

Pradeep Majhi, BJD candidate for the Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seat, acknowledged that the heatwave has disrupted his election campaign but was optimistic about overcoming these challenges before the election date.

Many candidates are opting for indoor meetings, limited outdoor rallies and roadshows.

"We are unable to take out roadshows and rallies because of the prevailing heat. Hence, I prefer indoor campaigning to outdoor meetings," said Tara Prasad Bahinipati, the Congress candidate for the Jeypore assembly seat under Koraput Lok Sabha seat.

On Monday, BJD Puri Lok Sabha constituency candidate Arup Patnaik was rushed to the hospital after he fell while campaigning near Pipili town in Puri district due to heatwave conditions. His health later improved after hospitalisation.