Multi-cornered contests make Dera a formidable force

BATHINDA: Its varicoloured head Gurmeet Ram Rahim is doing prison time for murder and rape, but Dera Sacha Sauda’s legions of followers are still a formidable force that can swing elections. It cannot be truer now that Punjab is facing a multi-cornered contest for the first time in history and political parties are looking towards organisations and sects like Dera Sacha Sauda to win their support.
As Dera is learnt to have considerable presence in the entire Malwa region, and to some extent in Majha as well, its support is of utmost importance for most parties. It is said that in 25 seats in Malwa, Dera is said to have the capacity to tilt the scales by providing support en bloc. With multi-cornered contests, this support is crucial for victory.
With BJP and its main campaigners such as PM Modi meeting heads of various sects and the Haryana government providing a 21-day furlough to Gurmeet Ram Rahim, his Dera has become “politically hot” as it is the only spiritual body to have openly backed parties in the past.
Till now, only former Congress MLA Harminder Singh Jassi, related to the Dera head as his daughter is married to the son of Ram Rahim, has got the ‘official’ support from the sect. However, he has been denied a ticket by Congress this time, and is contesting as an independent candidate. As in normal practice, Dera had been announcing its support for any party just a day or two before voting, so all eyes are now fixed on Ram Rahim.
In 2007, Dera openly supported Congress in Punjab. In 2012, Dera did not support any party. Dera spokesperson Harcharan Singh said: “Dera has not taken any decision to announce open support for any party as yet. ”