BJP backs CM Channi, presses EC to postpone elections till February 18

Following in the footsteps of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, the Punjab BJP has requested that the election in Punjab be postponed due to Guru Ravidas Jayanti on February 16th.

The Punjab Assembly election is now scheduled to take place in a single phase on February 14 with results expected on March 10. The plea for a postponement of the election by CM Channi and the BJP has yet to be responded to by the Election Commission.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Prakash has also written to the Chief Poll Commissioner, requesting that the state election be rescheduled until February 18.

The Punjab Lok Congress has also backed the demand for a week's postponement of the Punjab election.

CM Channi wrote to the Election Commission on Saturday, requesting that the Punjab Assembly election be postponed for at least six days to allow devotees who will be traveling to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, for Guru Ravidas Jayanti to vote.

Representatives of the Scheduled Caste community brought the issue to the attention of Punjab's Congress-led administration, according to CM Channi. Between February 10 and February 16, 2022, almost 20 lakh SC devotees are expected to visit Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, he said.

Sushil Chandra, the Chief Election Commissioner, received a letter from CM Channi, "In the above background, it is considered fair and appropriate that the vote for the election may be postponed for at least six days, enabling about 20 lakh people to utilize their right to vote... I am sure you would consider this sympathetically and have the needful done,"

Guru Ravidas Jayanti will be observed this year on February 16th. On this day, the saint Guru Ravidas' 645th birthday will be commemorated. Guru Ravidas was a Bhakti Movement saint who was well-known.

The Adi Granth, a sacred Sikh scripture, has over 40 poetry attributed to Ravidas. He is noted for actively working to end casteism, a discriminatory practice.

As part of religious traditions, worshippers take a holy swim in the river on Guru Ravidas Jayanti.