West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her dismay on Wednesday at the Election Commission of India’s decision to hold the present Lok Sabha elections in seven stages over three months, citing the terrible conditions of electioneering in the searing heat.

Speaking at a rally in Midnapore in favour of TMC candidate June Malia, Banerjee questioned the reason for West Bengal’s longer polling schedule in comparison to other states.

Banerjee pointed out the “disparity” in election dates, citing Tamil Nadu, which held its polls in a single phase despite having only two Lok Sabha seats fewer than Bengal’s.

Addressing the protest, she also underlined the difficulties experienced by campaigners, including herself, as a result of the extreme summer heat, highlighting the failing air compressor in her helicopter and the suffocating circumstances inside.

Banerjee expressed her tiredness from continual campaigning, emphasising that holding elections for three months was unprecedented and demanding.

“My helicopter’s air compressor has not been working for the past 3–4 days. Furthermore, the helicopter heats up quickly during this hot summer. So you can imagine how suffocating it would be to campaign in it during this heat wave. This poll campaign in such searing heat has entirely drained my energies. “And I’ve been doing this since March 31,” Banerjee remarked.