Rain plays spoilsport for poll campaigners

Guwahati: The early arrival of rain in the state is a boon for the farming community, gearing up to celebrate its biggest festival Rongali Bihu in the middle of this month. The weather, however, has proved to be a bane for politicians engaged in hectic, last-minute campaigning.
With the state receiving occasional showers all through this week, and the Met office predicting more rain for the next few days, politicians are bracing for an 'even tougher' fight this time.
"The campaign has to go on," said BJP candidate from Karimganj North Mission Ranjan Das, who has been leading rallies in the Barak Valley.
The farming community is busier with the election than with its regular activities these days. Cultivators said the rain cannot dampen the spirits of voters who are ready to give their mandate in the first phase of polls scheduled for Monday.
"This election will be a crucial one," said a farmer and added that the state's agriculture sector needs serious attention from politicians. Majority of farmers in Assam still depend on traditional modes of cultivation.
For peasant leader Pankaj Kumar Pathak, busy campaigning in Kamalpur constituency in lower Assam, the rain of the past few days has definitely affected campaigning, but has also brought hope for peasants.
A Met department official said heavy rain and thunderstorm would occur at isolated places in the state on April 4.