Jor Mela turns into political arena

Faehgarh Sahib : The three-day Jor Mela starting from December 26 at Fatehgarh Sahib has merely turned into an arena for political parties trying to wrestle it out in public. With newly-appointed PPCC chief Captain Amrinder Singh expected to make an appearance at the political conferences of Jor Mela after four years, splinter groups like the SAD (A) are also trying to make their presence felt, the event will have a different colour. Senior leaders of various political parties, including the Congress, the SAD (B), the SAD (A) and others have been camping the historical city for past few days to oversee preparations at their respective pavilions. Jor Mela is organised every year to pay obeisance to younger sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, who were bricked alive in Fatehgarh Sahib.
While the venue of the SAD (B) remains the same this time at a prime location in front of Fatehgarh Sahib gurdwara, the Congress has shifted its pavilion due to waterlogging following heavy rains. Earlier, the stage of the Congress was setup in front of district courts now it will be installed near Fatehgarh Sahib gurdwara.“This year we have paid a rent of Rs 80,000 as compared to the last year’s Rs 50,000 for two-acre land. We will setup a tent on the land to address people,” said former Congress MLA Harbans Lal. He said, “The location of their party stage is better this time as it is near to Fatehgarh Sahib gurdwara and many people are likely to listen to the speech of the PPCC president, who will address people on Jor Mela after a gap of four years.” He said the land had been taken on rent from Rouza Sharif.