Eyeing sarpanch’s post, they offer money, land to shrines

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, December 13

It’s not just the social standing, political connections, money or muscle power that count in the elections. Donations to religious institutions can also make a difference, according to some aspirants.

At Bhagu village in Lambi block, which has been reserved for a woman sarpanch this time, a Congressman has offered Rs 5 lakh to a gurdwaras and one lakh for a temple, provided his family member is elected sarpanch unanimously. Another Congressman has offered 2-acre land for village gurdwaras in lieu of the sarpanch’s post.

A video has recently gone viral wherein an announcement is being made from the village gurdwara to inform the public about this offer and telling them to think about it.

Sukhjinder Singh, a former sarpanch, has offered to donate land for gurdwara if his daughter Gurjeet Kaur is elected unanimously. He said: “Usually, the elections divide people in groups in the village. To prevent this, I have made the offer. There is nothing wrong in it.”

Jaswinder Singh, a nephew of Sukhjinder, has offered to donate Rs 5 lakh to the village gurdwara and one lakh to a temple for sarpanch’s post for his wife.

Some villagers said the main political parties, the SAD and the Congress, were yet to declare their candidates and once they did, the contenders might sweeten the deal.

HS Sra, Additional District Electoral Officer-cum-ADC (Development), Muktsar, said: “It appears to be a violation of the model code of conduct. We will check the matter.”

As per the State Election Commission, the maximum expenditure limit for a candidate contesting for the post of sarpanch is Rs 30,000 and for panch Rs 20,000.