Punjabi folk artistes making forays in the electoral politics have been creating a flutter in Punjab and giving their rivals a run for their money.
Punjabi folk artistes making forays in the electoral politics have been creating a flutter in Punjab and giving their rivals a run for their money.
Bhagwant Mann, a popular humorist and satirist, who is contesting on the Punjab People’s Party ticket in the Lehra Gagga constituency, has made the going difficult for former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, who also happens to be leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.
Bhagwant, with his humour and satire, has been attracting crowds and making an appeal to give him a chance to “serve the constituency”
Campaigning without any security or escort vehicle, the satirist- turned-politician has been giving a serious political message in his characteristic humour. “The idea is to tell the people that politicians are one of them and their role is merely that of a facilitator between the public and the government. We are trying to demolish the system that has put politicians on an exalted pedestal,” he explains.
His jokes are serious business now and invariably touch people’s hearts. “Politicians have turned their constituencies into little kingdoms. They connive with one another to retain power,” he tells the crowd.
Gurdev, a radio jockey in Canada till October 2011, left his lucrative $4,000 a month (approx Rs2.5 lakh) job to join the People’s Party of Punjab and be its nominee at the Bhoa constituency in Pathankot district.
Gurdev, whose father has a cycle repair shop in Sanaur in Patiala district, before emigrating to Canada, had joined renowned dramatist Harpal Tiwana’s academy in Patiala. Gurdev took to singing Punjabi folk songs and became a hit with the diaspora.
During one of his visits to the area, he said he was shocked to see the “abysmally poor” quality of life in one of the state’s most backward areas. Gurdev decided politics would be his cup of tea and Bhoa his political base.
In his campaign, he has been lambasting both the Congress and the BJP, whose elected representatives in the past paid no heed to address the problems of the region. Gurdev, being a new face, strikes an immediate rapport with the people and invites big applause.
Mohammad Sadiq is another popular Punjabi folk singer who has been in the fray at the Badaud constituency in Sangrur district as a Congress candidate.
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