Politicians evoking Gods for luck is a known phenomenon, but a candidate in Punjab, where polls were held on January 30, has set a new benchmark of sorts in piety, as he is staying within the premises of the Golden Temple since the day of polling. He has decided to step out only on the day of counting on March 6.
Congress candidate from Khandoor Sahib constituency in Amritsar district Ramanjit Singh Sikki is staying within the Golden Temple for the last one month, that too incommunicado.
The long wait for the poll results has proved very stressful for the candidates in the fray. Different candidates have dealt differently with the stress involved in the long wait for the poll results, some of the candidates have flown to holiday destinations like Goa and Kerala. While senior leaders went to foreign shores to take rest after hectic campaigning, few stayed at home.
However, unlike any other candidate, Mr Sikki is staying in a room inside the Golden Temple complex since the day of polling. He has not stepped out of the complex since then and his mobile number is also switched off, so that there is no contact with the outside world.
Close aides of Mr Sikki said that he will only come out of the Golden Temple complex on the day of the results on March 6, after the polling is done as his presence will be required in the office of returning officer at the time of result, it is binding on the candidate to sign before results are declared. Mr Sikki is learnt to have given the responsibility of counting to his brother.