The ongoing days of shradh has put the declaration of candidates’ names and releasing election manifesto by various political parties in Haryana on hold.Taking no chances, the politicians have decided to let the “period” go as it is considered to be unlucky to initiate some auspicious or important work during shradh, which would continue till September 22.
The State Assembly polls for the State’s 90 constituencies are slated to be held on October 15, while the notification for the same would be issued on September 20, setting the ball rolling for the initiation of election procedure with the starting of nominations. The last date for filing of all nomination papers is September 27.
Shakti Sharma, head priest of a temple in Kalka, in Panchkula district told The Pioneer that nowadays, Pitr Paksha, also known as Mahalaya or shradh, which have started from September 9 is still going on and will continue till September 24 of this month.Shradh is the time designated to give devotion or to offer respect to the dead and departed ancestors of the family, said Sharma.
“This part is considered inauspicious in muhurta shashtra (election-related astrology) and is believed that only after performance of shradh ritual, the soul of the deceased relative attains moksha,” said Sharma.In Hindu religion, no new thing takes place during these shradh days. Most of the Hindus postpone their even important work for 15 days and wait for the navratras.
Considering this, most of the political parties, including the BJP, Congress, HJC-HJCP alliance and BSP, are taking their own time to announce their candidates.
On the other hand, the Indian National lok Dal (INlD) had already announced many of its candidates besides the party manifesto in the month of August, and would announce its third and final list only after shradh, that would be followed by navratras — nine auspicious days. Every party, it seems, is waiting to initiate their election process during the upcoming ashvin navratras from September 25 onwards.
This is not all! The candidates, whose names have been announced, have also decided to file their nominations only during navratras. “We can’t take risk at this stage now...We will wait more for couple of days”, said senior BJP leader and candidate for State Assembly elections.