Election fever grips people, and how! Weddings, receptions, religious ceremonies, social dos, sports events, clubbing etc are no exceptions. A friend from Vidarbha, where the second phase of voting took place on Friday, added one more thing to the list—the funeral.

My friend shared with me a story of how solemn last rites held in his neighbourhood transformed into an election rally when some grievers participated in the shok sabha (condolence meet) held at the funeral ground, immediately after the departed soul was put on the pyre for final journey.