Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections | Campaigning in the shadow of the virus
The Hindu
With infections surging again, some candidates contracted the virus while others had to urge crowds to adhere to norms.
Leaders and candidates faced the unusual challenge of COVID-19 this election season, campaigning for which concluded on Sunday. While the pandemic was in control for over a month, soon after electioneering began in full swing, COVID-19 cases surged, prompting the AIADMK and DMK leaders to urge those in the crowd to wear masks. Quite a few leaders and candidates cutting across party lines, including the DMK women’s wing leader, M.K. Kanimozhi, were infected during the campaign, forcing them to isolate themselves. Some of them, previously infected, were seen being actively involved in the campaign, unmindful of the chances of re-infection. “I suspect I contracted the virus when I attended a huge public meeting addressed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Salem,” said Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leader M.H. Jawahirullah, also the candidate for the Papanasam constituency.More Related News