April, they say, is the cruellest month in the summer. But in Hyderabad Karnataka region, May is many degrees worse, particularly this year, when the heat of elections will add to the oppressive ambience.
The mercury here has already touched 39 degrees Celsius and is expected to rise, reaching the peak in the run up to the Assembly elections on May 5. This is making campaign managers cutting across party lines hot under the collar.
Except for Bidar district, known for its pleasant climatic conditions, the rest of Hyderabad Karnataka, including Gulbarga, Raichur, Yadgir and Koppal would be in the grip of a severe heat wave this month and the next. Criss-crossing the region during this time would be a daunting task for the candidates and their supporters.
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This has led to a sudden escalation in the demand for air-conditioned taxies to enable leaders and workers to tour the constituencies. All available taxies are already booked. Sensing the demand, taxi operators have hiked the hire charges by more than 30 per cent. A senior leader of a national political party, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the Election Commission should have taken into consideration the heat wave conditions and held elections sometime in March. This, he said, would have helped achieve a good polling percentage.
“During the peak of summer (May) all activities come to a standstill in the afternoons due to severe heat wave conditions. People prefer to stay indoors. The polling percentage in urban areas, will be low,” he predicted.
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