This Article is From May 02, 2009

Heat scorches poll campaigns in Rajasthan

Jaipur:

The sharp dip in voter turnout in the third phase of Lok Sabha polls and the rapid rise in temperatures, has set alarm bells ringing across all parties in Rajasthan.

With the mercury soaring over 42 degree Celsius in all 33 districts, candidates in the desert state are worried that the relentless sun could well be a bigger challenge than their political opponents, for wooing voters to the polling booth seems a tougher test of their political skills.

As he campaigns on a blazing afternoon, Ghanshyan Tiwari is a worried man. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate in Jaipur, which is a BJP bastion, says he's not bothered about the Congress challenge, but the 44 degree heat that could keep voters away.

"It's very difficult to bring out voters these days after 11 in the morning. But we'll make every attempt to get them out. I am appealing to voters to ignore the heat and vote as their national duty. But really this is a terrible season for elections," said Tiwari.

But Tiwari is not the only one anxious. In rallies of all parties, the turnout is now meager, even as star campaigners hit the state. From Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to Advani and Narendra Modi, all are set to visit Rajasthan, but voters are hardly excited.

"We don't feel like listening to speeches of any leader these days. We only want to save ourselves from the heat," said a resident.

"We've decided to vote only before 10 am. If we can't do that, then we won't vote as we could suffer heat strokes after that," said another resident.

Campaigning in Rajasthan has now become a torture test as the mercury has shot up well beyond 40 degree celsius in all districts. But while voters can stay away, the politicians do not have the softer option of staying indoors.

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