The India Meteorological Department has issued a heat wave warning for several districts of South Bengal from April 12-16. Seen in Kolkata on April 12, 2023. , photo credit: Debashish Bhaduri
Several southern districts of West Bengal are in the grip of heat wave, but this has not deterred political parties from holding big rallies. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a heat wave warning for several districts of South Bengal from April 12-16.
The maximum temperature is likely to be 3 to 5 degrees above normal. It is expected to intensify further during the next five days, said a special IMD bulletin. The driver of the private vehicle died in Kolkata and according to reports the deceased had suffered heat stroke.
Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee held a rally at Onda in Bankura, while Leader of the Opposition Shubhendu Adhikari addressed a public meeting at Kaliaganj in Uttar Dinajpur.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit West Bengal later this week and is scheduled to address a public meeting at Suri in Birbhum district on April 14. The high voltage political rallies are taking place at a time when the dates for the panchayat elections are yet to be announced in the state.
sinned
In the scorching heat, the leaders of both the ruling party and the opposition targeted each other. Addressing a rally in Bankura, where her party had not fared electorally in the last few elections, Mr Banerjee said the people of the region had committed a “sin” by voting for the BJP. The remark also raised the political temperature in the state with the opposition targeting the Trinamool leader.
Speaking at the rally in Uttar Dinajpur, Mr. Adhikari lashed out against the Trinamool Congress government over allegations of corruption in MNREGA and other central schemes. The BJP MLA said the Trinamool leadership would have to “repent” for the sins of corruption.