AAP intensifies efforts to engage with Hindu voters ahead of 2027 Punjab poll

Amritsar: In a bid to consolidate Hindu votes ahead of the 2027 Punjab assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has initiated efforts to engage with the community through organisations such as the Sanatan Seva Samiti (SSS) and the Khatri Arora Welfare Board and addressing issues that align with the community's religious aspirations.Punjab has a sizeable Hindu population with a deciding vote factor, but often their "religious aspirations" go unnoticed, said Pranav Dhawan, in charge, SSS, Majha Zone.Dhawan on Sunday said the organisation appointed 17 out of 25 halqa in-charges in the Majha zone and was actively contacting temple management committees to gather their views."It's like acting as a bridge between temple management and the govt…to facilitate their concerns, bring these to the govt's attention and ensure that their demands are addressed as quickly as possible," Dhawan explained.Speaking on the cow cess collected by the govt, Dhawan said Hindus hold cows sacred and revere them as ‘Gau Mata', yet the cess collected from the public was not fully utilised for their welfare, adding that the SSS recently held a meeting with the Gau Sewa Commission and would work to ensure that the funds collected through the cow cess are properly spent on gaushalas.In addition, he informed that the SSS extended financial support to the Hanuman Sewa Parivar for the construction of the Hanuman Dham temple on a 2,000-square-yard plot at Mall Mandi in Amritsar.Khatri and Arora communities, which constitute a significant portion of the Hindu vote in Punjab, are spread largely across the urban areas. Dhawan, who was appointed as a member of the Punjab govt's Khatri Arora Welfare Board from the Majha region, said meetings would also be held with local organisations to address their concerns.These include issues related to temples, dharamshalas, and other community needs, with efforts to facilitate coordination with govt departments such as municipal corporations, the police, electricity, water and sewerage departments, Dhawan added.MSID:: 127474462 413 |