Sarpanch Post Bidding for Rs 2 Crore in Punjab Goes Viral

A shocking "auction" for the Sarpanch position in Gurdaspur's Hardowal Kalan village, Punjab has gone viral after a local politician placed a bid of Rs 2 crore. This controversial act, seen as a violation of democratic values, has sparked outrage ahead of the Punjab gram panchayat elections, drawing sharp criticism from political leaders.

The bidding reportedly began at Rs 50 lakh but escalated quickly, with BJP leader Atma Singh offering Rs 2 crore through a cheque. Singh claimed that the hefty sum would be used for village development, with a committee of villagers overseeing the distribution of funds. Singh's family has a legacy in the village, as his father previously served as Sarpanch.

Hardowal Kalan is not alone in this practice. In Bathinda's Gehri Buttar village, a similar auction took place, with bids reaching Rs 60 lakh. No final decision has been made in that case, but the incidents have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa condemned the auction as "open corruption" and urged the vigilance bureau to investigate. With the gram panchayat elections set for 15 October, these auctions have sparked a broader conversation on the fairness and transparency of local governance in Punjab.