Demonetisation to Derail Electoral Fortunes

Five Indian states are going to polls to elect their respective state legislature members in early 2017. The Election Commission of India is expected to announce the poll dates as soon as publishing the revised electoral rolls expected latest by January 15, 2017. The states going to polls are Uttar Pradesh (UP), Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa.

Elections in India are notorious for what is known as ‘buying of votes’ or ‘cash for votes’ practiced by some candidates and/or their political parties. The maximum limits of election expenditure for parliamentary and assembly constituencies have been prescribed by the election commission.

And it varies from state to state and it may vary from one election to the next election. For instance, the current maximum limit for small states like Goa and Manipur is Rs 8 lakh, and for a large state like UP, it is Rs 16 lakh. But, based on what was reported by news agencies during the previous elections, several candidates were spending in crores.

Where does all this money come from? Of course, it is an open secret that overspending depends on black money, which is amassed through corruption and other illegal practices.

In the past elections, liquor and cash were distributed liberally and openly to voters. All kinds of freebies, including electronic gadgets, clothing items such as saris, etc. were also distributed. These practices are also illegal. It is common sense that legally earned money cannot be spent in such ways.

One of the fallouts of demonetisation of high value Indian currency could be a substantial reduction in illegal election funding and spending. It is not that all candidates are corrupt. It is also not to claim that black money has been wiped out.

As news reports show, several people might have found ingenious ways to convert black money into white. That means cash for vote may still be at play in the coming elections, though the recent demonetisation drive might have dried up a substantial portion of unaccounted money that is usually hoarded in high value currency notes.

The Five States Going to Polls

The most populated state Uttar Pradesh will go to polls to elect 403 lawmakers for the Vidhan Sabha. The incumbent CM Akhilesh Yadav is seeking reelection of his Samajwadi Party (SP). His main rivals are the former CM Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Indian National Congress (INC).

Punjab will go to polls to elect 117 members of the state Legislative Assembly. The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP alliance, led by CM Parkash Singh Badal, may face tough competition from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), INC and BSP. Aawaaz-e-Punjab, a new party formed by Navjot Singh Siddhu and others, is expected to be in the fray independently, or in alliance with other parties.

In Goa, election will be held to elect 40 members of the state Legislative Assembly. The current CM Laxmikant Parsekar of the BJP is seeking reelection. The main rivals are the Congress (INC), Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Election will be held for 70 seats of the Vidhan Sabha in Uttarakhand. CM Harish Rawat and his party, the Congress, mainly face a tough challenge from the BJP. The Congress and BJP have ruled the state alternatively.

Election will be held in Manipur to elect 60 members of the state Legislative Assembly. The incumbent CM Okram Ibobi Singh is facing the main contenders BJP and the Trinamool Congress led by the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

Gurudwara Katalgarh Sahib

Gurudwara Katalgarh Sahib (Chamkaur Sahib), originally uploaded by Manny Pabla.

Gurdwara Katalgarh Sahib (Chamkaur Sahib or Gurdwara Qatalgarh), Punjab, India, lies to the west of Gurdwara Garhi Sahib and is the main shrine at Chamkaur Sahib. This Gurdwara marks the site where the fiercest battle took place on 7 December 1704 between the Mughal army and the Sikhs.

During the battle of Chamkaur in 1704, in which the Guru and 40 Sikhs fought against the Mughals, both of Guru Gobind Singh's sons Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh died at this spot. When the Sikhs in the fort at Chamkaur were being martyred one by one, the Sikhs did not want the Guru's sons to go to battle, but Guru Gobind Singh declared that all the Sikhs in the fort were his beloved sons.

Guru Gobind Singh watched his two sons achieve eternal peace through martyrdom and prepared himself to follow his sons and attack the Mughal army but his Sikhs passed a resolution that the Guru and the two remaining panj piare should escape under cover of darkness while the remaining Sikhs would hold the fort and delay the attackers. The Guru had to yield to the will of his Sikhs.

The original Gurdwara, constructed by Sardar Hardial Singh of Bela in 1831, was replaced during the 1960's by a new complex. The main building, Mariji Sahib, is an elegant three-storey domed structure standing on a high base. The large divan hall contains an eight meter square sanctum. Another vast hall nearby is called Akal Buriga. It was used for the daily congregations before Mariji Sahib was constructed. To the west of Akal Buriga is the old Baoli Sahib, still in use. The Guru ka Langar, community kitchen, is north of Baoli Sahib and Akal Buriga. The Gurdwara also houses the offices of the local managing committee administering all historical shrines at Chamkaur under the overall control of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). In addition to the daily services, largely attended assemblies take place on the first of each Bikrami month and on important anniversaries on Sikh calendar. A three day fair called Shahidi Jor Mela is held on 6, 7 and 8 Poh, usually corresponding with 20, 21 and 22 December, commemorating the martyrs of Chamkaur.

Golden Temple 2

golden temple, originally uploaded by kaurpomal.

Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India

Golden Temple Sky Light

GoldenTempleSkyLight-1024x768, originally uploaded by kaurpomal.

Golden Temple, Amritsar: wallpaper size 1024 x 768