PHOTO GALLERY: Despite pandemic influenced curbs, Indian politicians vying for millions of votes in a series of state elections this week are still on the campaign trail.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath waits to address an election rally in Shamli, India, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Weeks-long ballots will take place in Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest state with a population of more than 200 million, as well as states such as Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. Coronavirus is still spreading rapidly through India, prompting anxiety as elections will attract millions to polling booths.
NEW DELHI — The order in January was clear and driven most by India’s past experience: Political rallies — a staple of Indian elections — were to be halted immediately. Enormous gatherings during state elections last year contributed to a devastating coronavirus surge that left the country’s feeble health system battered. And another surge driven by the omicron variant hadSuddenly, the colorful and often raucous rallies were curtailed. Life-size cardboard cutouts of politicians faced deserted rally venues. Rows and rows of chairs had no one sitting in them. And the loudspeakers which were to relay the speeches of politicians went silent.
So what did politicians vying for millions of votes in a series of state elections that start on Thursday do? They knocked on people’s doors.Often, they were maskless as they distributed election materials to voters. Some politicians rode atop packed trucks and cars that made their way through winding streets. Others walked on foot, smiling for the cameras with hands folded in greeting, wading through jostling crowds.
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