Cong bid to woo Dalit vote bank
Monday, 26/10/2015
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/
Patiala : While the Akali Dal is busy defusing tension in the state and mending fissures within the SGPC, in which it holds majority, the Congress is busy “eyeing” another important religious vote bank.
In the past two days, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh has held a closed-door meeting with Dera Sachkhand Ballan head Niranjan Dass, who holds a considerable influence over the Dalit community in the state.
The veteran Congress leader today addressed a congregation organised to mark the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki in Fatehgarh Sahib.
A Congress leader, present on both occasions, said “There is nothing political over these developments. Nor is there anything wrong in his visiting religious places or attending religious functions. As a mass leader, Captain is much sought after by the members of all communities. This also reflects his popularity above religious or sectarian considerations”.
The two meetings are considered important given the fact that the Dalit votes in the state are a little over 30 per cent with substantial presence in areas in Doaba belt. Every election, political leaders rush to seek blessings from all deras that assume political significance. While all of them term themselves secular, indoor meetings are always reported and scrutinised.
