Dera Sacha Sauda fails to rescue Akalis

Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 11

The support of Dera Sacha Sauda has failed to improve the poll prospects of the Akali Dal in the Malwa region where the dera is said that have a considerable following.

The SAD candidates have lost Budhlada, Maur, Mansa, Rampura Phul, Bathinda (Rural), Bathinda (Urban), Talwandi Sabo, Gidderbaha, Bhucho Mandi, Barnala, Dirba, Samana, Amloh, Raikot, Bhadaur, Shatrana, Sunam and Sangrur, Bagha Purana, Faridkot, Jaitu and Kotkapura constituencies where the dera enjoyed substantial support.

In the entire Malwa region, once an Akali stronghold, the party has won just eight seats, while the BJP got one.

It is not the first time that the party getting the support of Dera Sacha Sauda has lost the elections. In 2007, the dera extended support to the Congress and it had lost the election.