When Congress candidate from Tehri, Saket Bahuguna, organized an election rally at Parade Ground here on Thursday for a show of strength, rains virtually poured cold waters on his plans.
Within minutes, people gathered at the venue scurried for shelter as rains and snowfall lashed parts of Uttarakhand, especially in the hilly areas.
Bahuguna, who is trying his luck for the second time from Tehri constituency is pitted against BJP's sitting MP Maharani Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah. Bahuguna, son of former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna, was also later forced to cancel his road show due to rains.
Rains and snowfall have also hit Kedarnath region where the government has launched massive reconstruction works with a deadline of completion before the start of Chardham yatra on May 2. The mid June deluge had brought heavy devastation in Kedarnath area last year.
"It is snowing at Kedarnath and other areas," said Rakesh Sharma, additional chief secretary (ACS) after visiting the area. Sharma admitted that the rains are hampering reconstruction works. "There is still time. We believe that the yatra will pick up its momentum only after the completion of elections on May 16," said Sharma.
However, Sharma lamented that there is no system available with the Met department for a long-term weather forecast in the wake of the coming Chardham yatra. "Met office has not installed any Doppler Radar through which we can get any long-term forecast," said Sharma.
From high altitudes of Uttarkashi district to Munsiary in Pithoragarh district, snowfall and rains have made heavy weather of the electioneering process. The situation is giving sleepless nights to candidates, who are finding difficult to campaign in the hills. Even last week, Chief Minister Harish Rawat was forced to cancel his trip to Kedarnath due to rains.
"Continual rains have made the roads slippery, restricting movement of traffic in the hills", said Ajay Bhatt the leader of the opposition.
Most of the candidates fear the snowfall and rains will dampen the spirit of electioneering and, thereby, the poll results.
As rains and snowfall continue in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts, the election commission said it has no control over weather. "What can we do if weather turns bad," said a top official of the state election commission.
