Doda (Gidderbaha), January 27
Trust the Punjabi spirit(s). The rage and rancour of election hour is just the right occasion to demand some extra punch, or so it seemed, when popular Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan was invited by local Congress leaders at Doda village in Muktsar’s Gidderbaha Assembly constituency on Friday. Maan has a huge fan following in this part of the state.

So, there he went: “Aapna Punjab Hove, Ghar Di Sharaab Hove.” And liquor flowed — if only figuratively in the hearts of those who came to attend the party rally, first for Rahul Gandhi, the Congress general secretary, and then for Maan, a native of Gidderbaha village.

The EC’s guidelines against liquor during the assembly polls aren’t really making the days dry. Songs with clear hints of ‘daru’ are much in demand.

Despite repeated assurances of Congress leaders that Maan would not sing the song, his fans kept on sending requests to him on the stage.

Soon after Rahul ended his speech, Maan started his performance on the number, “Aapna Punjab hove, ghar di sharaab hove.” The crowd went rapturous, many were seen jumping over the seats and dancing to the tunes.

“I am a big fan of Gurdas Maan, so I have come here to attend the rally. I love all his songs, but this song is one of his best, as it presents the real picture of Punjab,” said Ranjit Singh, a resident of Bhalaiana village.