Kin of migrants who shifted to Punjab decades ago testing poll waters
The panchayat elections in Punjab are witnessing a noticeable change this time — the entry of a number of migrants in the poll arena. Their families having shifted to the state in search of employment several decades ago, this category of the state population is now Punjabi.
Neha Chaurasia (23) has been elected unopposed as the sarpanch of Shankar Colony in Bhamian Khurd block of the Sahnewal constituency in Ludhiana district. Neha is a former state-level hockey player.
It’s our home now
Voters here are a mix of Himachalis, Garhwalis and Punjabis. Ours is a perfect example of unity in diversity. Now, Punjab is our home. Neha Chaurasia, Sarpanch (unopposed)
Born and brought up in Punjab, Neha, along with her panch mother Vidyavati Devi, is involved in public welfare activities such as developing green belts. Neha had served as a traffic marshal during the Covid pandemic. The family belongs to Balia in Uttar Pradesh. Neha says, “Now, Punjab is my home. I am happy that I will now get a chance to serve my people.”
“Our voters here are a mix of Himachalis, Garhwalis, Rajasthanis and Punjabis. Ours is a perfect example of unity in diversity. I have witnessed the change,” she adds. In Ram Nagar (Sahnewal), Mamta Devi, another migrant and two-time sarpanch, is contesting again. Poonam Kumari is contesting from Tajpur Bet.
Married to property dealer Santosh Kumar, Poonam, along with her two children, has managed to balance home and political life. Aman Chandok, another migrant, is contesting from the Shanti Vihar panchayat.
In the Sikh-dominated rural belt of Doaba, several migrant workers are testing the panchayat poll waters — mostly with the dream of ensuring better facilities for their communities. Solving the power and water crises, and cleaning of ponds are among their priorities.
Ranjit Muni (48) is contesting for the post of panch in Sanghowal village. Hailing from Khagariya, Muni, who came to Punjab with his family in 1984, has been pursuing farming of vegetables on a contract basis.
“I have earned enough to make my own house. Now, I want to work for providing basic amenities in my immediate neighbourhood,” he said.
Ranjit is contesting against another migrant villager, Vinod Muni, in ward number 4 of Sanghowal. Vinod had won the last panchayat poll.
Rode village in Moga district, which happens to be the birthplace of radical Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, is witnessing a contest between the daughter-in-law of a migrant labour and a local Dalit leader. The seat is reserved for SCs. Gangster-turned-social activist-turned-politician Lakha Sidhana has accused an SAD leader of fielding the “migrant family” woman in the panchayat poll with an eye on the large number of migrant votes.
The contestant, Sunita Rani, is the daughter-in-law of a UP migrant, Brij Lal, who settled in Rode village over 40 years ago.
Sunita was born in Punjab and belongs to a family that shifted its base to Punjab about 30 years ago. Her husband, Manok Kumar, is a postgraduate and has also done BEd.
