Candidates with strong balance sheets ‘most desired’ as sarpanch

Villagers with strong balance sheets have emerged as the most desired candidates for election for the posts of sarpanch during the upcoming panchayat polls.

Candidates who own responsibility to fulfil long-pending demands that require capital investment were reported as a major criteria that village residents consider before electing their leaders. Unwillingness to undertake responsibility to make capital investment for development projects was cited as an impediment in arriving at unanimity on otherwise suitable aspirants.

The final announcement about the number of panchayats constituted unanimously would be ascertained after Monday, the last day scheduled for withdrawal of nominations. However, it is expected around two dozen sarpanches would be elected unanimously in the district.

Providing funds for the purchase of land for village ponds, stadiums and renovation of dharamsalas of various communities, besides procuring gymnasiums for the youth, were cited as the demands of groups facilitating unanimities at various villages.

However, in the majority of cases, conveners of the meeting proposed that village residents would be asked to contribute for projects and the candidate would own responsibility to bear the remainder of the expenses.

In Dehliz Khurad village, supporters of a unanimously shortlisted aspirant for the post of sarpanch, Gurmit Kaur, assured the villagers a one-acre piece of land would be bought for the construction of the village pond with contributions by villagers. Darshan Singh, a close associate of the shortlisted candidate, said, “We know contributions by the villagers will not be sufficient for the purchase of land and development of the pond. Whatever may be the collection from the villagers, the remaining amount will be arranged by the sarpanch’s family.”

In Chhanna village, a youth leader, Sukhwinder Singh Samra, has been shortlisted unanimously for the post of sarpanch. Though no formal announcement was made before finalisation of his name for the post, villagers believe he would not hesitate to spend generously for resolution of recurrent issues such as rectification of waterworks motors, repair of dharmsalas and providing facilities at village crematoria.

“As our village has no income due to lack of any land in the name of the panchayat, the sarpanch and panchayat members have to take responsibility for meeting recurrent expenses instead of waiting for government grants. Samra being resourceful and associated with many companies can contribute and arrange funds from time to time,” said Harjinder Singh, the husband of a former sarpanch.

Avtar Singh Baba of Jandali Kalan village, a former sarpanch owing allegiance to the SAD, said residents of the village intended to elect a woman whose family could come forward to develop a park at the locality. “As the dream project of villagers would need massive funds, no single family could afford to come true to their expectations,” said Baba. He said presently two major candidates were in fray.

Former sarpanch at Momanabad village, Kessar Khan, said unanimity could not arrive at his village as none of the aspirants consented to own or share responsibility to resolve the long-pending problem of an overflowing pond.