Stories
Ram Rahim Released Again: Dera Factor to Influence Punjab's 2027 Polls?
- •Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been released from Sunaria jail on a 21-day furlough, his third release this year.
- •The timing of his repeated releases, often around election periods, raises questions about the Dera's political influence.
- •Dera Sacha Sauda has a significant presence in Punjab, particularly in the Malwa region, which holds 69 of 117 Assembly seats.
- •The Dera's followers are concentrated in several Malwa districts and are predominantly Dalit, making their support crucial.
- •Political parties, including AAP, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal, are likely watching the Dera factor closely for the 2027 Punjab Assembly election.
Key Questions Answered
Ram Rahim's release could influence the 2027 Punjab elections, as political parties are already preparing for the next state election. His repeated releases, especially around election times, have drawn political attention. Even small shifts in closely contested constituencies could become important due to Punjab's fragmented political landscape and internal challenges faced by parties like the Akali Dal.
The Dera Sacha Sauda has a significant presence in Punjab, particularly in Malwa, which is the largest of Punjab's three political regions. Its followers are predominantly Dalit. The repeated releases of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, especially around election periods, have drawn political attention and raised questions about their link to vote bank politics. For example, he was granted a furlough shortly before the 2022 Punjab Assembly election.
The Dera factor could be significant for all major political parties, especially in the Malwa region of Punjab. During a previous controversy in 2022, there was debate among rival parties about whether Ram Rahim's release would benefit the BJP and its allies.
