Punjab’s Deras Emerging as Another Political Battleground

Gustakhi Maaf Haryana – Pawan Kumar Bansal

It appears that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may be following a strategy reminiscent of the late Giani Zail Singh, former Chief Minister of Punjab, in its efforts to counter the influence of the Shiromani Akali Dal. During his tenure, Zail Singh often organised functions in memory of the Sikh Gurus to politically outmaneuver the Akalis and strengthen his support base.

However, the political landscape in Punjab has changed significantly today. Apart from the Akalis, the BJP now faces strong competition from the Aam Aadmi Party and the Indian National Congress, both of which have a substantial presence in the state.

Meanwhile, Nayab Singh Saini, the Chief Minister of Haryana, who has been given a political role in Punjab, has reportedly started adopting local symbolism—wearing a saffron turban and addressing people in Punjabi—to connect with the electorate.

Tailpiece:
Another significant arena in Punjab’s politics is the network of Deras. These socio-religious centres hold considerable influence over large sections of voters, making them an important and potentially accessible support base for the saffron outfit in the state.