With 48 hours to go for the Lok Sabha and bye-elections in Gujarat, campaigning by political parties has stopped from 6 pm today and countdown for the showdown has begun.
Star campaigners from Congress and the BJP flocked to Gujarat ahead of the polls to woo their vote bank for the last time today.
Despite scorching temperatures in May and a heatwave warning, the ruling party and the opposition went all out with their respective manifestos.
Will Kshatriyas impact the BJP votes?
Amid the backlash from the Kshatriya community against BJP candidate Parshottam Rupala and the party, BJP leaders found it difficult to enter remote villages and campaign for the election.
This backlash stemmed from a comment made by Rupala about erstwhile kings a month ago. Despite apologies, meetings and ‘damage control’ by the BJP, Kshatriya community members stood firm on ‘Asmita Mahasammelan’ to show their displeasure known to the BJP.
An incident reported from Rampura village in Gujarat stated that BJP leader Hardik Patel faced backlash from the Kshatriya community during the party’s office inauguration. In Patan, cabinet minister and Siddhpur MLA Balvantsinh Rajput too faced protests from Kshatriyas in his village.
Stars campaigners
While Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel organised a roadshow in Nadiad today, state BJP president CR Patil was in Surat’s Limbayat for a roadshow.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public meeting in Ahmedabad on May 3, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addressed a rally on the same day in Banaskantha.
BJP star campaigner Amit Shah was in Chhota Udepur on May 4 to address the tribal population in the district.
Heatwave and polling day
The Met department has predicted temperatures rising to 43°C in Ahmedabad on polling day.
A yellow alert has been issued for four days until May 8, signalling temperatures to soar above 41°C.
According to the India Meteorological Department, heat wave conditions are likely to prevail in the districts of Saurashtra, including Porbandar, Bhavnagar and Diu. It is suggested to avoid heat exposure, wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose cotton clothes and cover the head.