CHANDIGARH: The political wing of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda on Wednesday announced the decision to extend support to the SAD-BJP alliance in the Punjab Assembly polls slated for February 4.
“Sadh Sangat (public) has decided to support the SAD-BJP alliance in Punjab, thus we have announced our support after taking feedback from them. We never impose our decision on our devotees,” said Ram Singh Insan, chairman of the Saadh Sangat Rajnitik Punjab-- the political wing of the Dera.
Block, district and state-level meetings were held with the followers on January 19 in Salabatpura to decide on their support to a political party this Assembly election in Punjab.
The followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda headed by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh have major presence in 27 different segments, especially in Malwa region of Punjab.
According to sources, Dera Sacha Sauda has about 5 crore supporters of which 50 lakh are in Punjab and Haryana. Nearly half the members of DSS are reportedly eligible to exercise their voting rights this election.
With more than 35 lakh supporters in Punjab--mostly Dalits-- the Dera holds a significant influence over 40 constituencies in a total of 67 constituencies in the Malwa region.
The Dera, together with several other such Deras, generally vote en bloc. The state has the highest percentage of Dalits in the country as they comprise more than 31 per cent of the population.
In 2014 Assembly polls in Haryana, the Dera had openly supported the BJP and the party gained 47 seats out of 90. Subsequently, the BJP formed the government in the state for the first time on its own.
It is also well known that though the Dera did not openly declare its support for the Akalis in 2012 Assembly elections, a word was sent around and the SAD candidates received support from Dera followers in various constituencies.
In 2007, the Dera had extended support to the Congress candidates in the state.