Kerala's Political Heatwave: Campaigning Through Record Summer Temperatures
Assembly elections in Kerala have historically coincided with the peak of summer, forcing politicians to navigate not only the intense heat of electoral contests but also the soaring temperatures of the season. This year, however, the challenge is more acute, with just two weeks remaining until the polls, leaving party workers in a do-or-die mode as they campaign from early morning until late at night.
Unrelenting Heat and Its Impact on Campaigns
Regions across Kerala, including Kollam, Kottayam, Kochi, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Thrissur, have experienced temperatures 2-3 degrees above normal over the past two weeks. In response, campaigners have adopted various measures to combat the heat. Caps, umbrellas, and white cotton clothing are now standard attire, while sunscreen, hydration, and shifting meetings indoors have become essential precautions to ensure safety and efficiency.
The extreme weather has also complicated volunteer mobilization efforts. Gopa Kumar, a UDF worker from Angamaly, noted, "We used to attract many volunteers for door-to-door campaigns, but that has slowed significantly. Most young people now prefer office-based tasks or social media activities. To adapt, we start early in the day, and by lunchtime, they switch to making phone calls and attending family meetings."
Candidate Strategies and Worker Endurance
With a shortened campaign period, candidates are pushing through with minimal breaks. IUML candidate T P Ashrafali from Kondotty explained, "The campaign timeline is very tight, so we don't have the luxury of long pauses. We take brief rests after lunch but quickly resume our activities." Ashrafali emphasized personal care, using sunscreen regularly, staying hydrated, and consuming light meals. He added with humor, "I've advised party workers to protect themselves as well. As a young candidate, I doubt the senior leaders would allow me to avoid the sun anyway."
In Neyyattinkara, CPM candidate K Ansalan remains undeterred by the heat, though his team has implemented a break between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to prevent sunstroke. Congress worker G M Sugunan from the same constituency mentioned that they compensate for this midday rest by extending their efforts well into the night. BJP worker Manchathala Suresh from Nemom echoed this sentiment, stating, "Our primary goal is to secure victory for our candidate. To achieve that, we are willing to endure the harsh heat."
Innovative Adaptations and Logistical Challenges
In Palakkad, NDA candidate Sobha Surendran has opted for a no-break approach. BJP mandalam president Babu Vennakkara detailed their strategy: "We campaign on the streets until 10 a.m., then transition to vehicle-based home visits for the remainder of the day." Meanwhile, in Kottayam, which recorded some of the highest daytime temperatures in the country last month at 37-38 degrees Celsius, most candidates have installed air coolers in their open campaign vehicles to provide relief.
Adding to the difficulties, the relentless heat has caused posters to peel off walls as the adhesive fails to hold up. This logistical issue further complicates the already strenuous campaign efforts, highlighting the multifaceted challenges posed by the summer conditions.
As Kerala's political landscape heats up, both literally and figuratively, candidates and workers continue to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in their quest for electoral success, underscoring the unique demands of campaigning in one of India's most climatically challenging regions.
