In run-up to assembly elections, it’s time to crack political deals in Punjab. Apart from making all out efforts to woo voters, politicians are now making rounds of various spiritual ‘deras’ (bodies) seeking the votes of followers.
The latest to join the league was People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) chief Manpreet Badal who recently met Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the controversial head of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda.
Manpreet’s visit comes days after Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Capt Amarinder Singh visited the dera on November 12. The PPP president, it is learnt, had a 10-minute meeting with the dera chief, followed by another one with the dera’s political advisory committee (Punjab wing). Both Manpreet and the dera representatives concerned refused to comment on what transpires at the meeting.
Ram Singh, one of the six members of the advisory committee, said there was no discussion about elections or even politics for that matter. He said Manpreet raised issues like corruption, drug-addiction and unemployment, issues about which even the dera was concerned. However, sources said a senior member of the dera’s committee, who is a resident of Husnar village in Gidderbaha, played an important role in facilitating Manpreet’s visit.
“There is nothing wrong if a political leader visits a dera. Being a secular party, the PPP has high regard for every religious sect provided it works for the society’s betterment,” said Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon, PPP vice-president. Ram Singh said several other political leaders, including Amarinder Singh, had visited the dera in recent past. But, said sources, the dera would weigh various options before taking the final decision on whom to support in the elections.