M A I N   N E W S

Bibi campaigns from temples
by Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

CHAWINDA DEVI (Majitha) Feb 14 — After the Shiromani Akali Dal, it is time for Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee members to start canvassing from temples to woo voters in Hindu-dominated areas hit during militancy.

Bibi Jagir Kaur, a former SGPC chief and an Akali MLA, has been holding election meetings in the premises of Chawinda Devi Temple, a part of which was destroyed in a bomb blast in the early nineties.

She recently received a ‘siropa’ (robe of honour) from Ramesh Kumar inside the temple. She was accompanied by Mr Jarnail Singh, SGPC member and the chief of the Municipal Council, Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala), Mr Chiranji Lal Garg (the lone Hindu Akali minister), and Mr Manjinder Singh Timmy, who recently joined the ruling Akali Dal, and a number of Akali and BJP leaders.

Bibi Jagir Kaur denied she had violated Sikh ‘maryada’ by receiving a ‘siropa’ from a temple. “While the Congress always tried to divide communities to come into power, my endeavour is to promote Hindu-Sikh unity”, she said. She said she had come to temple to seek votes only.

On the recitation of kirtan in the temple premises by her, Bibi Jagir Kaur said she had simply participated in the bhog ceremony of the mother of one Avtar Singh.

Mr Chiranji Lal said the temple was worshipped by both Hindus and Sikhs. More than 80 per cent offerings collected in the temple came from the Sikhs. He said the Akali Dal was seeking votes on the issue of “Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat”.

Interestingly, while entering the temple to pay obeisance, she raised the slogan of “Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh”.

Meanwhile, the electioneering in Majitha has reached a feverish pitch. While ‘Maharani’ Parneet Kaur, Congress MP and wife of Mr Amarinder Singh, is canvassing door to door, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, son of the Chief Minister and General Secretary, Shiromani Akali Dal, has addressed at least six poll meetings in the constituency.

While ‘Maharani’ Praneet Kaur has mobilised women, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal has garnered the support of youths. He is always accompanied by leaders like Mr Rajinder Singh Mehta and Mr Sarchand Singh President, Sikh students Federation (Mehta-Chawla).

Addressing a rally at Mattewal village, Mr Sukhbir Singh promised the Badal government would ensure overall development of Majha region.

The mounted police has been pressed into service to prevent any untoward incident in the constituency. The police has intensified security as senior politicians of both parties are likely to visit the constituency as the polling date draws near.