The meteorological department on Wednesday issued a heatwave warning for various Bengal districts over the next five days but that did not deter the Trinamul Congress and the BJP from pushing up political temperatures in the state with supporters of both the parties turning up to hear their leaders braving the blazing sun.
Trinamul leader Abhishek Banerjee turned on the political heat in Bankura, where the meteorological department in Calcutta on Wednesday issued an orange warning.
Although the Met office had advised residents of Bankura, along with East Burdwan, Birbhum and North 24-Parganas, not to venture out in the sun for long periods as it might lead to heat stroke, the turnout at the Onda rally on Wednesday made one wonder whether the 30,000-odd Trinamul supporters had much concern for the advisory.
Speaking about the rally, which was held at 2pm when the heatwave in the district was at its peak, Alok Mukherjee, the president of Trinamul’s Bishunupur organisational district, said: “The meeting was planned at least a month ago and we could not change the date despite knowing the present heatwave-like situation.”
The sudden change in weather conditions forced the organisers to make arrangements to give some respite to the supporters. Mukherjee said the party had arranged 1.5 lakh pouches of drinking water and there were 34 water tanks to meet the demand of thousands of people.
The mercury touched 40 degree Celsius on Wednesday in districts like Bankura and East Burdwan and the weather forecast indicates the mercury can breach 40 degree Celsius in various districts like Birbhum, Purulia and West Burdwan.
Bankura on Wednesday was sizzling at 41 degree Celsius, which was the highest in the state. The Met department had no good news to offer and said respite would not happen immediately.
The forecast has prompted the state government to ask district magistrates to take precautions like arranging adequate water and ensuring sheds, especially during public outreach drives like ongoing Duare Sarkar camps.
While Trinamul leaders in Bankura admitted that the heatwave had an impact on the expected turnout of 60,000people, BJP leaders inBirbhum are faced with the mammoth task of gettingat least 40,000 people for a public rally to be addressed by Union home minister Amit Shah on April 14.
“The heatwave is certainly a hurdle to bringing thousands of people to the meeting. However, we will have to fill the ground as it is a mega rally to be addressed by Amiit Shah ji,” said a BJP leader in Birbhum.
The leader, however, said they were taking adequate precautions to save the people from the heatwave.
“We will build heat-resistant hangers and will keep at least 50,000 drinking water bottles and pouches. We are also keeping ORS (oral rehydration solutions) pouches for elderly people and those will be distributed in need,” said BJP Birbhum president Dhruba Saha.
Government officials in both Bankura and Birbhum said in private that it would be better if political parties refrained from organising such rallies during this heatwave.
However, when rural polls are round the corner, political temperatures are bound to soar.
