‘Unanimity in panchayat polls helps raise accountability bar’

Environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal, who was once a sarpanch of his village through unanimous choice, has been campaigning for unanimous election of sarpanchs and panchayat members. He has been involving people from other villages, prominent persons, political leaders and social activists in a ‘sath’ (community meeting at a common place) in his village Seechewal and streaming it live on community radio being run by him and on Facebook. He is strongly in favour of selection through unanimity.

How are you pursuing this campaign?

Since December 11, daily we have been organizing a public meeting in the Panchayat Ghar of our village, where we invite prominent persons — activists from villages, politicians, journalists and even politicians. Discussions are around promoting consensus and improving the villages not just in terms of tangible development but also in social terms. Fifteen years back, I was elected unanimously, and then for another term before the baton was to passed Rajwant Kaur, a 23-year-old post graduate in English literature. Maximum grants came to the village during her tenure. This time, villagers have decided on 27-year-old Tejinder Singh, an accomplished gatka player who has registered himself for pursuing PhD.

Why are you pushing for consensus in panchayats?

Those who live in villages know that panchayat elections are the biggest factor behind factionalism in villages. The friction caused in these elections remains for years and perpetuates through subsequent elections. Since all have to live in the same village, we are advocating that villagers sink their minor or political differences and elect wise and deserving persons to lead them. This strengthens the ‘bhaichara’ (brotherhood) among villagers, which is more important than any other thing. It also helps the villagers save a lot of money.

How do they save money?

First of all, they get Rs two lakhs from the government with which they can start development forthwith. Panchayat elections are very expensive and electoral corruption starts from this level. There are times when contesting candidates use unfair and corrupt means. People spend a lot of money which can be spent on the common causes of the village. Sometimes rivalry during elections cast shadow on development works also as rival factions sometimes tend to block development works. In case of unanimously elected panchayats, even officials are not able to create hurdles and official corruption also comes down.