Political pitch by dera

Recently, the BJP’s Haryana incharge Kailash Vijaivargiya led a team of 40 candidates to seek “blessings” of dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Many Congress candidates, including Randeep Singh Surjewala and Kuldeep Sharma, too visited Dera Sacha Sauda seeking support.  In the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, too, many Congress leaders had visited the head for his blessings.

Dera authorities say their followers had “unanimously” decided to support the BJP and the chief had only honoured their sentiments. The BJP is upbeat; the assurance of support can impact results in 18 constituencies.
Other important deras include Dera Sacha Sauda Jagmalwali, Namdhari Sampradaya Shri Jivangar and Mastangarh, Karontha ashram led by Rampal Maharaj and Dera Baba Bhaniarshah Sangarsadha. The chiefs of the other deras have stopped declaring support to individual candidates or parties. Most of these have political wings to decide these matters.

The setting up of a Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee by chief minister B S Hooda, too, has become a significant issue this poll season. The Congress had promised such a committee in its previous two manifestos but had failed to implement the plan till a few months ago. Following the legislation, gurdwaras in Haryana are no longer under the control of the Amritsar-based SGPC. The Congress is of the view that a majority of Sikhs in Haryana wanted a separate body.