Date:28/04/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/04/28/stories/2009042853260300.htm

Other States - Himachal Pradesh

Campaigners develop cold feet in highlands of Himachal

Shimla: Biting cold in the highlands of Himachal Pradesh, which was the first to go to polls in independent India, has kept political parties away from campaigning in these parts where polling will be held in the last phase on May 13.

Campaigning is yet to pick up in the high altitude districts of Chamba, Lahual & Spiti and Kinnaur.

Anticipating heavy snowfall in December 1951, the then administration decided to hold polling in Chamba, Lahual & Spiti and Kinnaur in October 1951, three months ahead of rest of the country, election office sources said here.

The first election in independent India had taken place between December 1951 and February 1952.

Although election for the 15th Lok Sabha is taking place in mid-summer, biting cold in the high reaches have kept campaigning on a low key.

While Chamba, except for Bharmour, forms part of Kangra seat, the other two districts of Lahual & Spiti and Kinnaur is part of Mandi Parliamentary constituency. Bharmour also comes under Mandi constituency.

Located at an altitude of 3,165 metre, Lahual & Spiti, also known as ‘cold desert’ continue to reel under lowest temperature ranging between one and 2.5 degree celsius.

Keylong and the high reaches of the district continue to experience intermittent snowfall.

Rohtang Pass, which is the only road link of the district with the rest of the world, continues to be under 10 feet snow and is yet to open for traffic. It had closed for traffic in mid-December 2008.

Booth in Kibber in Spiti sub-division located at a height of 15,600 feet is the second highest polling station in the country in terms of height.

Leader

Virbhadra Singh, a veteran Himachal Congress leader and five-time Chief Minister of the hill state, who is in the fray from Mandi, is the first leader to reach Lahual & Spiti to seek voters support for himself.

He reached Tissu from Bhuntar airport by chopper on Friday and stayed on for two days. Electors to Kinnaur, located at an altitude of 2,290 metre, have also given the cold-shoulder to elections.- PTI