Dera dissolves political wing

BATHINDA: Dera Sacha Sauda has dissolved its political wing, the move was confirmed by the dera. However, it did not cite any reason for the sudden decision
The political wing used to take decisions on which political party or individual the dera followers should support in the elections particularly in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan after getting information from various area units.
Though the dera has lost a significant part of its influence in the recent past, it still enjoys considerable support.
Till 2007, Dera Sacha Sauda support was considered crucial for political parties in the entire Malwa region and to some extent in the Majha. It was said in some of the seats in the Malwa region, Ddra had the capacity to tilt the scales, particularly during multi-cornered contests.
After its open support to the Congress in Punjab in 2007 elections and thereafter dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim courting controversy by supporting the attire similar to that of the 10th Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh, its stocks started dwindling. The edict issued by the Akal Takht to sever ties with the dera also added to its decline.
Dera Sacha Sauda in the past used to hold meetings of followers, popularly known as premis, to get their views about supporting any political party or individual leaders. The leaders, cutting across party lines, also used to attend the d era congregations.
In the past, the dera normally used to announce support to any party a day or two before the elections. The Dera’ political affairs wing used to take decisions on political matters. In 2012, the dera had not given open support to any party, whereas it supported the BJP in the 2014 elections in Haryana. In 2017 and 2022, the dera provided selective support to the parties and candidates.
Now dissolved political wing head Ram Singh said some restructuring was on in the Dera wings and due to it the political wing had been dissolved for now. Some other decisions may be taken later, he said.
The dera 45-member committee member Harcharan Singh said: “The dera is more into social activities and the political wing has been dissolved.”