With just about a fortnight left before the campaign for the Lok Sabha polls comes to an end, candidates are literally sweating it out under the scorching sun.
To beat the sweltering heat, they have adopted various strategies. Most of them start early in the day — around 7 a.m. and wind up the forenoon session by 11 a.m. before resuming the campaign after 4 p.m. Some start even earlier than 7 a.m. to interact with morning walkers and joggers.
However, some candidates are undeterred by the dry weather and soaring temperature. Wearing caps and covering their heads with a cloth, they continue their campaign all through the day.
In North Karnataka, especially Kalaburagi where the temperature has gone beyond 42 degrees Celsius, candidates and party workers are finding it tough to campaign for long hours. Although it is inevitable for them to restrict the campaign hours as even the electorate stays indoors between noon and 4 p.m., some candidates are braving the heat as their constituencies are spread over a vast area and there is very little time left to cover all areas.
According to an associate of Congress veteran M. Mallikarjun Kharge, who is pitted against Umesh Jadhav, he [Mr. Kharge] has been campaigning without a break. “People here are used to 42-43 degrees Celsius. As his Lok Sabha constituency is vast, he cannot afford to take a break in between campaigning. We hold public meetings where he can address large gatherings under a shamiana during the day. Road shows and campaign in open vehicles are taken up only in the evenings,” the associate said.
Eighty-six-year-old former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, who is fighting a keen contest against BJP candidate G.S. Basvaraju in Tumakuru, also has the responsibility of campaigning for candidates of the coalition partners. “He leaves home early morning after breakfast and his next meal is only dinner. All he takes in between is a plantain, butter milk and water,” said his close aide, who accompanies him.
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who is also undertaking a joint campaign along with former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Mr. Deve Gowda, has been braving the heat by having lots of fluids. As both Mr. Kumaraswamy and his father are diabetic, they have been advised to avoid fruit juices. Instead, they consume tender coconut water.
Hydration vital
C.N. Manjunath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, said it is advisable for candidates to keep themselves hydrated all through the day. “With diabetes and hypertension being the common ailments of most candidates, they should avoid fruit juices and instead have buttermilk or water. It is also better they have a diet with less oil and spice, preferably vegetarian as a heavy meal can cause drowsiness and indigestion. This may lead to excessive sweating and fluid loss. Most importantly, they should keep a tab on their daily blood sugar levels,” he said.
