‘Game changer’ Sikh voters remain divided

Assembly Polls

Community feels ‘dejected’ over neglect in election manifestos  

PS BALI

Jammu, Dec 1: Feeling dejected and neglected by major political parties for making ‘no mention’ of community in their election manifestos, the ‘game changer’ Sikh voters are divided over supporting a particular party in the assembly elections.

The community members in two regions of the state viz Jammu and Kashmir hold different stand about their support.

While the Kashmir based Sikh leaders claim to support any political party that may redress important Sikh issues, whereas the Sikh leaders in Jammu are yet to decide the basis for extending support.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina said that Sikhs in Kashmir are feeling being fooled by major political party and will support only a party or candidate that promises early redressal of community issues.

Hinting at giving support to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Raina said that he had approached Congress and National Conference to moot over the issues of the community, but none gave heed to his demands. “These parties even did not mention our issues in their election manifesto, which is unfortunate,” he said and added that PDP is the only party that promised to mitigate the issues of the community and has mentioned same in its election manifesto.

He asserted that some political parties (without naming any), are dividing Sikh community by making false promises. “Some political parties have hired touts from the community, by promising them personal benefits,” he maintained and added that PDP has also orally promised the community of other benefits, besides those entertained in the manifesto.

Similarly, Dr Joginder Singh Shan, president, J&K All Indian Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) said that the prevailing politics in the state has divided the community. “Major political parties like BJP, NC and Congress have deceived Sikh community by not entertaining their (Sikhs) issues in election manifesto,” said Shan, adding that they hail PDP for understanding the problems of the community.

“Sikhs in Kashmir will support PDP, as it was the only political party in the state that considered the vital issues of the community,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jammu based Sikh leaders have different considerations over supporting a party or candidate, as they believe that all political parties have befooled the community.

“We had extended unconditional support to Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), but the party denied ticket to our desired candidate, which left community in disarray, as no other political party or candidate in the state holds credibility,” said  a District Gurudwara Prabandak Committee (DGPC) member wishing anonymity.

He asserted that parties like PDP had earlier also promised policies for welfare of the Sikh community, but at ground level nothing changed. “Election manifesto of all these political parties, including PDP remained unchanged for last many decades, but practically all parties deceive and fool community members for votes,” he said.

He added that since   BJP denied ticket to their desired candidates, they have reserved their final call about support.

 “In next two or three days we will hold meeting in this regard and declare open support to any party, which is not yet decided,” he maintained.