Panchkula: Dholis return empty-handed

While party supporters were having jitters outside the counting centre in Government College, Sector 1, a group of “dholis” sitting nearby was least bothered about who is winning the Panchkula seat.

These dholis were here to play for the winning candidate, no matter of which party, just to make a quick buck. “Jo jeetega, uske liye hi baja denge” (whosoever wins, we will play for him), said the leader of the group, when asked if they were called by any party.

Coming from Sector 14, these dholis claimed to have earned amounts in thousands this festive season. “The music systems and fancy modern dholis have taken away our business. There was a time when we used to get a good amount and gifts from the winning candidates,” said Sonu, a member of the group.

Their 70-year-old leader remembered the days when the winning candidates used to go for a victory lap to thank voters and dholis were in high demand. “I have played for many winning candidates and we used to travel miles with them during the victory march. Nowadays, we are ignored by parties that take out victory march with a convoys of vehicles. A few would ask us to accompany them for a limited time. I had a picture of getting Rs 20,000 and a wrist watch from a candidate winning the 2009 Assembly poll from Panchkula. We are sitting outside the counting centre expecting someone to approach us,” said Rooplal.

The moment the announcement of the final result was made, there was a big smile on their face. However, contrary to their expectations, the supporters’ joy remained high for a limited time and these dholis had to return almost empty-handed. “They want us to be a part of their celebration. However, no one is coming forward to pay us. Nevertheless, we sat idle for almost five hours, but now we have to tap the dhol to honour our profession,” said Phoolchand.

Politics over tea

A small tea and parantha shop near the Sector 14 counting centre, where counting for the Kalka seat was going on, was abuzz with activity. Party supporters had swarmed the place. “We came here from Pinjore, just to keep a live track of the counting and take part in the winning march of our candidate,” said Pardeep, a young voter. The cars parked outside carried fancy garlands, posters and bags full of flowers.