Punjab Elections 2012 - Dera Sacha Sauda is to Play a Very Crucial Role in Punjab Politics

Congress and Shromani Akali Dal are trying hard to seek blessings from Dera chief. Dera Sacha Sauda is to play a crucial role in Punjab politics as main political parties

Member of Parliament from Patiala and Union Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur and her son Raninder Singh  visited the Dera Sacha Sauda at Sirsa in Haryana for the blessings from its head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh.PCC chief Amarinder Singh has sought a meeting with Gurmit Ram Rahim for January 26 or 27.
Ahead of elections to the 117 member state assembly on January 30,Various candidates from both the parties have sought appointments to meet the Dera chief .
 In 2007 assembly elections,Dera Sacha Sauda played a crucial role . Congress won maximum number of seats  in  2007  Dera followers had supported the Congress candidates in the Malwa region  .
However Dera is yet to decide on their support to Congress party .The Dera's political wing, Sadh Sangat Rajneetik Wing,
will take the decision after considering the feedback received from its followers across Punjab.

The brainstorming session would be attended by Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, members Gurbaz Singh, Raj Kingra,Ram Karan, Parammjit Singh, Jagjit Singh Birapur and Major Singh.

 "Our seven-member committee will take a final call in this matter (whom to vote in Punjab's poll) and Gurmeet Ram
Rahim has nothing to do with politics," Ram Singh, who is associated with the political wing of the Dera, said.


The political dynamics in Punjab  is such that Dera  has a  strong following in Malwa region  of Punjab ,which has comprises 67 assembly segments.


Politicians from both the opposition Congress and ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have been making a beeline to seek
blessings of the Dera Chief who enjoys considerable influence among the people in Punjab, Haryana and other areas in the North.
 

The Dera, which had been at loggerheads with the Sikh clergy for alleged insult to Sikh Guru Govind Singh, wields
considerable influence in about 55 seats and have presence in 30 assembly segments of Punjab, including Malwa region where it has a sizable number of followers.

Rahim Singh also faces three other cases, including one of sexual exploitation and two of the murder of anothersect manager and a Sirsa-based journalist.