South Bengal sizzles as election aspirants, leaders sweat it out

Day temperatures in South Bengal continued to compete with soaring electioneering heat for the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections with aspirants and top leaders sweating it out under the scorching sun.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to address rallies at Murarai in Birbhum district and at Sujapur in Malda district on Wednesday where the mercury touched 41.8 degrees Celsius and 41.2 degrees respectively on Tuesday.

Heatwave conditions in both the districts are likely to continue tomorrow as well with the Met Department forecasting temperatures above 41 degrees Celsius.

The Met Department said heatwave conditions are likely to prevail in most South Bengal districts with severe heatwave conditions in Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, Burdwan and West Midnapore districts.

The highest day temperature in Kolkata stood at 40.6 degrees Celsius, five notches higher than normal, while the lowest stood at 28.3 degrees, three notches above average. Elections are scheduled to be held in 56 Assembly segments on April 17 in the second of the six-phase polls in the state.

Campaigning for these seats spread over six districts of the state was on in full swing despite the scorching heat.

Candidates along with supporters are holding roadshows, rallies and meetings under the blazing sun as they can hardly afford to be slack in the eleventh hour.