Dharwad: The standard operating procedure (SOP) determined by the State Election Commission considering the pandemic has placed senior leaders in a complicated situation.
Used to switch with the equipment and addresses of meetings, the current formner and minister, legislators and other leadership must visit the family only with a handful of supporters.
Former Minister R V Deshpande who visited Dharwad on Friday had to visit several families with a handful of Congress workers who accompanied him to campaign for party candidates.
For some senior party leaders who play an important role in selecting candidates, Covid-19 limitations have been useful for avoiding campaigns.
“There are 82 wards at HDMC and with only 10 days left to campaign after the deadline for submission of nominations ends, it is impossible to campaign in all wards.
We cannot overcome public meetings both as seconds have forbid them,” said MLA.
For candidates who are GreenHorns, restrictions have occurred as a big hurdle because they find it difficult to visit all areas in their neighborhood and go for a door-to-door campaign.
While the former Canporator in the commotion was known to face, voters had not seen several newcomers representing the national party.
There are a number of candidates in BJP, Congress and Janata Dal (s) who are newcomers.
A total of 122 candidates are in the field as independent.
In the absence of permission to use a vehicle to campaign, cover all areas in the ward with legs have become difficult for candidates, especially independent.
“I represent a different ward last time but now I have been forced by parties to shift to another neighborhood after changing reservations.
I find it difficult to meet everyone personally in the neighborhood where I am fighting,” said a Congress Candidate.
Many candidates turn to social media, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and messages recorded on cellphones to reach voters.