Now, Rohtak khaps have little say during elections

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, May 9

Khap panchayats, which played a key role in the previous Lok Sabha elections, seem irrelevant this time as far as the Rohtak constituency is concerned. More than 50 khap panchayats are active in the constituency, but none of them seems keen to direct its members on the choice of candidate.

Why so? Hariom Siwach, executive chief, Chaubisi Sarva Khap Panchayat, Meham, tries to explain. “The division in khap panchayats, and political ambitions and vested interests of khap leaders have rendered khaps irrelevant in the Lok Sabha elections. Hence, khaps have refrained from asking its members to support a particular candidate. Even, nominees don’t bother about garnering khaps’ support,” he said.

The Chaubisi khap fielded its candidate from Meham in seven Assembly elections held between 1957 and 1977. Its candidate romped home four times. After 1977, the khap started endorsing candidate of other parties. This continued till the 2000 Assembly elections. “Now, the khap has no role to play in the elections as four other khaps of the same name, Meham Chaubisi, has come into existence,” Siwach said.

“Now, candidates do not risk seeking support from one or two khaps, fearing that other khaps will go against them,” Siwach said.

Om Prakash Dhankar, chief of the Dhankar khap, said that four decades ago, his khap used to convene a meeting of its representatives before the elections and zeroed in on a candidate keeping in view of his academic qualification, character and behaviour. The Dhankar khap even helped candidates financially.

Naresh Pal, chief of the Gulia khap, said: “Today, khap leaders consider themselves to be cut above the rest. So, they take a call on supporting candidates keeping in view their political and personal interests. In this scenario, the role of khaps in the polls can be assessed easily.”

Bharpur Singh, former president of Jakhar Khap, said: “Khap panchayats have been confined to elderly people of villages. The youth don’t take khaps seriously.”

NCP backs Congress in state 

Karnal: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has extended support to all 10 candidates of the Congress in Haryana. The state will go to polls on May 12. State NCP president Choudhary Ved Pal announced this after holding a meeting with party leaders here on Thursday. Ved Pal said NCP president Sharad Pawar had called a meeting of party leaders of Haryana and asked them to support the Congress. “The party national president also assigned the duties to all workers and leaders to visit all 10 segments in Haryana and campaign for the Congress candidates,” he added. tns