Indian Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari fainted while speaking at a rally in Maharashtra state, which is suffering from extreme heat.
On April 25, Minister Gadkari was carried out of the rally and received first aid while campaigning to support Rajashri Patil, candidate of the ruling Indian People’s Party (BJP), in local elections in Maharashtra state. , west of the country. He then quickly returned to the podium to finish his speech.
“I felt uncomfortable because of the hot weather at the rally but am now healthy again,” Minister Gadkari announced on X.
Indian minister fainted in the middle of a rally because of the heat
Indian Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari fainted while speaking in Maharashtra state on April 25. Video: RT
India on April 19 began a 6-week general election, with about 969 million voters participating, considered the largest election in human history. The election is divided into 7 phases, taking place in 21 states and 8 territories. Observers estimate that India needs to organize more than one million polling stations, about 5.5 million voting machines and 15 million polling staff, ensuring security.
The vote took place in the context of India facing an intense heat wave, when some areas reached near-record high temperatures. India’s National Meteorological Department predicts that the country will experience extreme heat for at least the next 5 days. Experts also warn that Mumbai, the capital of Maharastra state, is expected to experience temperatures of more than 40 degrees Celsius from April 27 to 29.
Hot weather is said to be the reason why the turnout rate of Indian voters this year is lower than expected. Voter turnout on April 19 was about 66%, down 4% compared to the 2019 election. The Indian Election Commission has discussed measures to ensure the vote is not affected by heat. .
Ngoc Anh (According to RT/Times of India/India Today)
