The crucial ballot battle is over! With their fate sealed in the electronic voting machines, the politicians in Punjab are making a tactical retreat into the boundaries of their ordinary lives.
Fighting it out on the political battlefield during months-long campaigning, the politicians are now focussing on some relaxed moments for the next five weeks — period between the voting and the ‘decision’ day.
As The Pioneer had a sneak-peek into their personal lives, we find out that Sunday, a day after polling, brought relaxation for many politicians in terms of spending time with their families, doing general chores or back to their normal routine. For many others, it’s still work.
While some are planning to utilise their time to recuperate their exhausted bodies from the ailing health, many leaders have decided to go on a thanksgiving spree. A few others are planning a trip abroad, while some went on to finish their incomplete responsibilities.
Months long ordeal, hectic canvassing, powerful speeches, brainstorming sessions, drawing strategies, addressing rallies, public meetings…and what not! Past month not only kept our leaders on toes, but also their families.
The tiring month-long electioneering has also take toll in the health of few leaders. Not keeping well since past few days due to fever, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has planned a trip to USA, reportedly, from February 7 or 8 till 15 for medical check-up.
“Badal saab will remain in Chandigarh for the next two days. He came back this morning only from his residence Badal village. Before leaving, Chief Minister has met some people at his residence,” Chief Minister’s close aide said.
Alike Badal, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal too leave for Bengaluru on February 7 where he will undergo naturopathy treatment for high blood sugar.
Kejriwal, after commanding AAP’s exhaustive and aggressive campaign criss-crossing across Punjab, also has fever. A senior Delhi government official informed that AAP leader’s blood sugar level has shot up, and he was taking insulin thrice a day to keep it under control.
“He will leave for Bengaluru on February 7 to undergo naturopathy treatment and will be there for 12-14 days,” he said. Kejriwal had also undergone 12-day naturopathy treatment at the same institute for chronic cough and diabetes in January last year.
Deputy Chief Minister and SAD president Sukhbir Badal too met some people at his Badal village residence. The junior Badal has reportedly spent time with his family and went out to watch movie in Bathinda.
Congress’ Chief Ministerial candidate Capt Amarinder Singh, quite confident of forming the next government, has planned a long list of “thanksgiving” lunches and dinners to his supporters, party workers, besides the I-PAC team, which has handled his media campaign.
Capt Amarinder, who is locked in closely-contested poll battles with Chief Minister Badal in lambi and former Army chief General JJ Singh in his bastion Patiala, has reached at his Chandigarh residence.
“He will be camping in Patiala and Chandigarh for a few days. later he will visit Delhi for a few days,” said Capt Amarinder’s spokesperson, adding that he may also join the party campaigning in Uttar Pradesh.
Capt Amarinder is also scheduled to visit lambi on February 9-10 to thank the people of the constituency.
His son Raninder Singh, who steered Capt Amarinder’s campaign in lambi while he was busy touring the entire state being the state unit chief, met the Congress workers at the residence of senior party leader Maheshinder Singh Badal — cousin of Chief Minister Badal.
Third contender in lambi, AAP’s Jarnail Singh, too met the party supporters at Malout office. “It was a hectic, but I am quite used to it…Yes, I may go to Delhi for two days,” he said.
For SAD’s Patiala candidate Gen JJ Singh, the day after polls is hectic. The former army man visited different localities afterwards to thank his supporters.
Their rival and AAP candidate from Patiala Dr Balbir Singh attended the funeral of AAP leader Gagan Chhada’s mother, who breathed her last on February 3. A member of AAP’s campaign committee, Gagan and his family decided to postpone his mother’s cremation for polls.
Facing the similar tragedy during the campaigning period, Congress’ candidate from Nakodar Jagbir Brar returned to his native village in Muktsar. A former MlA, Brar lost his father on the previous Saturday. His family had put off blog for February 8, post elections.
BJP’s candidate from Anandpur Sahib Dr Parminder Sharma was busy in arrangements of marriage of his daughter, to be solemnised on Sunday.
Congress’ Kushaldeep Dhillon and SAD’s Mantar Singh Brar too preferred to meet their supporters thanking them for their support. Same with the former finance minister Manpreet Badal who met his supporters at his Badal village farmhouse.
For some, work is primary. “We have no time to relax…I had a meeting with the party workers today…We will soon start visiting houses of booth agents to thank them for their hardwork and support,” said AAP’s candidate from Dakha HS Phoolka.
With the anxiety levels increasing and heartbeat varying between high and low points, some of the politicians have also fallen back to the prayers and religious sojourns. As now the divinity has become the last resort, many politicians are seeking divine intervention for the critical juncture. Amritsar’s Golden Temple has become a hotspot for them.
Gen JJ Singh, who is contesting his first ever elections, visited Gurdwara Dukhnivaran Sahib in Patiala to pay obeisance.
Even as the politicians are wearing smiles and feeling like winners, but it’s only the results, on March 11, that would decide whether the smile remains on their face or it’s just the disappointment.