Punjab poll 2022: Leaders rush to Dera Sacha Sauda to seek 'blessings'

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Advertisement

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 9

A day after the announcement of elections in Punjab, several BJP, Congress, AAP and SAD leaders were seen at a congregation of Dera Sacha Sauda followers at Salabatpura, Bathinda, on Sunday to seek “blessings”. Among them were Harjit Grewal and Surjit Jyani of the BJP; minister Vijay Inder Singla, former minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, former MLAs Harmander Jassi and Mangat Rai Bansal of the Congress; AAP’s Bathinda (Urban) candidate Jagroop Gill; and SAD candidate from Dirba Gulzar Singh.

The leaders tried to downplay their visit, claiming there was nothing political about it. Significantly, dera’s political affairs committee chairman Ram Singh and state committee members were at the function too.

The dera authorities are keeping their cards close to their chest, saying they would announce support to parties or candidates at the “appropriate” time.

However, sources said the dera was unlikely to announce support for any party. Its strategy would be to back certain candidates on specific seats. Talking to The Tribune, dera spokesperson Harcharan Singh said, “It was a religious event. There was nothing political about it. Today’s congregation was in memory of dera’s second head Shah Satnam. However, the followers are angry over the implication of their head in sacrilege cases.”

The dera can influence the election outcome in about 40 constituencies in Malwa. It has 84 branches in Punjab, 11 of these, including the biggest at Salabatpura, in Bathinda district. Therefore, leaders of Malwa have begun to reach out to the dera followers. A pink robe worn by Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh during a congregation at Salabatpura on May 13, 2007, had triggered a row. He was accused of ‘imitating’ Guru Gobind Singh.

Influence in Malwa

• 84 is the number of dera branches in Punjab
• 11 of these are in Bathinda district alone
• 40 constituencies in the Malwa region are under substantial influence of dera
• The biggest dera branch is at Salabatpura, Bathinda

Wooing support

Cong: Minister Vijay Inder Singla, former minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, ex-MLAs Harmander Jassi and Mangat Rai Bansal

BJP: Harjit Singh Grewal, former state minister Surjit Jyani

AAP: Jagroop Singh Gill, Bathinda (Urban) candidate

SAD: Gulzar Singh, Dirba candidate