Fresh snowfall in the higher areas of Uttarakhand for the second consecutive day on Monday intensified cold conditions and marred electioneering ahead of January 30 Assembly polls.
Many political parties have raised demands to postpone elections by at least another fortnight.
Higher areas in Garhwal and Kumaon regions like Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh experienced snowfall while the lower, hilly and plain, areas were lashed by intermittent rains, the Meteorological department said.
The cold wave conditions gave a setback to candidates, who were unable to hold rallies as people remained indoors. BJP wanted the elections to be postponed by nearly 15 days, Congress said it would honour any decision taken by the election commission.
Chief Minister B C Khanduri has earlier voiced his concern over the prevailing harsh winter conditions in the state and asked the Election Commission to postpone elections. However, a state Election Commission official said the election will be held as per the schedule.
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