Politicos' bigger battle: The heat

HYDERABAD: Candidates are playing it safe in the dust and heat this election season. From scheduling their campaigns mostly in the mornings or after dusk to wearing cool summer clothes and drinking fruit juices and coconut water to dodge the scorching heat.
The netas say they are taking every possible precaution to protect themselves from dehydration and sun stroke.
Actress and politician Jayasudha Kapoor, who is contesting from Secunderabad on a Congress ticket, keeps a stock of mineral water bottles and fruit juice in her vehicle during her door-to-door campaign and street corner meetings.
"She is a vegetarian and prefers eating simple food comprising chapati, dal and rice," says her secretary. Normally, the actor starts her day at 8.30 am and wraps up her campaign before noon and again steps out in the evenings. The afternoon time is mostly used for indoor meetings.
"Avoid sun exposure as much as possible," is one warning given to all the contesting candidates by their physicians.
Y S Jaganmohan Reddy of YSR Congress Party also campaigns till noon and resumes work in the evenings. Reddy, according to his party workers, drinks plenty of plain water and prefers a fibre-rich diet comprising fresh fruits and vegetables that are easy to digest.
"He eats very light food. He has assorted fruits for breakfast. Besides, he drinks a lot of coconut water and plain water during the day to beat the heat," said a party worker, adding that the sitting Kadapa MP prefers a light lunch and dinner.
Reddy's sister Sharmila who is the star campaigner for YSRCP is a cautious and light eater and drinks a lot of coconut water and plain water, he added.
Calorie-high biryani, parathas and fast food are a strict no for K T Rama Rao of TRS who was operated upon for kidney stones just a day ago. "Doctor asked him to take lots of water and easily digestible food," said a source.
Congress Medak Assembly candidate and former Tollywood reigning actress Vijayashanti is banking on glucose water. "She is a poor eater and because of intense campaigning, her complexion is becoming darker by the day. She is using sunscreen though and has been asked to drink more water," shares her husband Srinivas Prasad.
Meanwhile, G Venkata Ramana Reddy who is the Congress candidate for Bhupalpalle, an interior area of Warangal, is managing by tying a turban on his head and wearing sunscreen. "Sometimes I am using shades but it is very difficult to campaign in the summer. Most of the roads are dusty," admits Reddy finally realising the plight of the residents of his constituency.
A popular TRS candidate contesting for an MP seat fell ill recently and had to cancel all his programmes for a day. Requesting not to name him, his spokesperson says most politicians have issues venturing out into the hot sun. "They wish the elections were held during winter," he added on a lighter note.