New Delhi: As the dust settles on the recent Haryana assembly elections, the role of Dera Sacha Sauda, a socio-spiritual organisation, has been scrutinised. Traditionally seen as a significant political player, this time, its influence appears to have waned, particularly for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which faced a crushing defeat in regions where Dera’s backing was expected to sway voters.
In the lead-up to the elections, discussions swirled around Dera’s potential impact. Historically, the organisation has issued decrees endorsing political parties, and this time it was the BJP that received an endorsement. This raised questions about the effectiveness of such support, especially after Ram Rahim, the Dera chief, received parole from prison—a move that drew considerable media attention.
Sirsa district, home to five assembly seats and the headquarters of Dera Sacha Sauda, was anticipated to be a stronghold for the BJP. However, the party failed to secure any seats, losing all five to the opposition. The Congress emerged victorious in three constituencies—Ellenabad, Sirsa, and Kalanwali—while the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) claimed the remaining two seats in Dabwali and Rania. The BJP’s performance was particularly dismal; apart from one second-place finish by Gopal Kanda in Sirsa, they found themselves in third or fourth place across the board.
In Fatehabad district, where Dera also holds sway, the BJP faced a similar fate. Despite having previously won two out of three seats in 2019, the party lost all three this time around. Dera supporters openly backed Duraram, who contested from Fatehabad but ultimately fell short against Congress candidates.
The trend continued in Ambala, another region with a notable Dera presence. Here, Congress won three out of four seats, with only Anil Vij from the BJP managing to secure a victory in Ambala Cantt. This pattern of loss raises significant questions about Dera’s diminishing political clout.
The Dera’s influence has not always guaranteed electoral success. In previous elections, such as 2014 and 2012, their endorsements did not translate into wins for the parties they supported. With claims of having around 3.5 million followers in Haryana, the organisation’s power appears to be waning.
The Dera also had a political wing earlier but was disbanded in 2017. From the 1998 elections, Dera started the game of support in politics. In the 1998 elections, the Dera supported the Shiromani Akali Dal for the first time in Punjab.
