LAHORE, Nov 20: As the election year is nearing, politicians, especially those belonging to the ruling PML, are finding novel ways to muster support for their election campaign. The recent phenomenon in this regard is the fumigation drive launched in the city after Eidul Fitr to destroy aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry dengue virus.

Banners can be seen in various city localities greeting certain ministers, MPs or town and union council nazims for fumigation in their areas.

There are certain areas in some localities which have been sprayed twice and, in some cases, even thrice, to appease supporters and loyalists of a minister, MP or nazim. On the other hand, neighbourhoods in same localities complain that their streets have been completely overlooked in the fumigation drive.

Officials say that two fumigation machines of the epidemic control wing of the CDGL have been seized by chief minister’s son Moonis Elahi for use in the city constituency from where he intends to contest the next elections.

Three machines have reportedly been in the possession of tourism minister Aslam Iqbal for the last four days. One machine has been in the control of naib nazim Idrees Hanif for the last couple of weeks, while Samanabad Town nazim Mian Javed Ali has also been in possession of some machines for the last six days.

Data Gunj Bakhsh Town nazim Tariq Sana Bajwa has got 30 litres of the insecticide from the epidemic control wing on the plea that he himself will make arrangements for its spray.

Government instructions and health hazards regarding the fumigation are being ignored under the pressure of the influential during the process.

The government has strictly directed that only that area should be sprayed from where any dengue case is reported.

Health experts say that like the ordinary fog, the smoke emitted in the fumigation process gets suspended in the air due to cold and may result in increase in respiratory and skin problems in fumigated areas.

They recommend that the people should get their houses sprayed with ordinary mosquito killing insecticide as because of cold outside the mosquitoes seek refuge indoors.

Meanwhile, Shalamar Gardens and Hazoori Bagh will be fumigated on Nov 23-25 in view of Chinese President Hu Jintao visit to the city. He will be given hi-tea and dinner at these places respectively by the CDGL and the provincial government on Nov 25.