In pics: Leaders, candidates try their best to beat the heat in West Bengal

Kolkata, April 17: With the mercury rising unsparingly, the ongoing election in West Bengal is becoming a tough affair, for both the contestans and the voters. Only two phases have been completed so far and people have already felt the heat, literally.

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During the last phase held last Monday (April 11), the turnout became almost zero after noon not because of political clashes but the extreme heat conditions. Reporters covering the phase in the western districts of Bengal where the temperature went up to as high as 44 degrees Celsius were seen covering their head and faces with wet towels. [

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Three persons, including two voters, even died because of the heat in this phase.

The candidates are also having a tough time campaigning in the sun and are consuming as much as fluid as possible to keep their bodies running. Even seasoned politicians like Mamata Banerjee, Sonia Gandhi and Narendra Modi were seen struggling to keep away the sweat while addressing rallies.

Didi is feeling the heat, literally

A tired-looking Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress supremo and chief minister of West Bengal, at an election rally in at Safanagar in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal. PTI

For celebrity candidates, it isn't easy

Locket Chatterjee, a Bengali actor who is contesting this year on the BJP's ticket from Mayureshwar constituency in Birbhum district of West Bengal, consumes coconut water to keep the heat away. Birbhum is known for its ruthless heat and the celebrity candidates are not finding it easy enough.

Congress chief finds it uncomfortable in her own party bastion

Congress president Sonia Gandhi addressing an election campaign rally at Sujapur in Malda district. The veteran leader was clearly making her best to beat the sweltering conditions in this central Bengal district, which is a Congress bastion.

Another celebrity candidate puts his cap on

Trinamool Congress's actor-candidate from Barasat constituency Chiranjeet Chakraborty campaigns with a cap on. The outdoor exercise in this year's election has been quite a challenging task for the candidates in the heat. PTI

Here are a few politicians and candidates trying to cope with the heat while canvassing support for their parties in the high-profile election in Bengal this year.

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