One more going? BJP-Dera Sachcha Sauda link may see Shiromani Akali Dal break up ties

NEW DELHI: There has been widespread cheer in BJP since the Dera Sachcha Sauda, a sect with influence over Dalit Sikhs, decided to support the party in Wednesday’s Haryana assembly polls. The support, however, will complicate BJP’s already knotty relationship with the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab and could lead to a parting of ways in future.

On Sunday, Dera followers assembled in their prayers halls, or Naam Charcha Ghars, dotting Sirsa and other areas around it, and were told that that for these elections at least, Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim would back BJP. Party candidates were also present at these meetings and were identified to Dera members as candidates to vote for.

Last time round, the Dera had supported Congress in Haryana (where the party won) and in Punjab (where it lost). In Haryana, a Jat chief ministerial face, ( Bhupinder Singh Hooda) and a non-Jat consolidation due to the Ram Rahim’s mostly Backward Class followers worked well.

"We received feedback that the Jat vote was consolidating behind INLD, while our aggressive wooing of Jats via newly-admitted Congressman Birendra Singh was not having a desired effect. The non-Jat vote, actually substantial in Haryana, was being weaned away from BJP by Kuldeep Bishnoi, Gopal Kanda, etc," said a top BJP leader involved in the elections.

"The Dera has a good hold among the Backward classes, especially in Sirsa and neighbouring areas," said the leader. So far so good, but the problem arises when BJP’s NDA ally SAD is considered. In 2007, the government of Punjab headed by NDA had threatened to arrest the Dera chief on charges of rape and extortion. The Dera, besides its early support to Congress, has also been a threat to Panthic politics of SAD, which is popular among upper caste Sikhs.