‘Ominous’ pre-Holi period limits election canvassing

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 20

Even as the process for filing nomination papers on the Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat has started three days back, political activities are yet to pick up pace in the Jammu region as the ongoing week before Holi is considered as an ‘ominous’ period.

Except organising routine meetings, no new political activity has been initiated by candidates whose names have been cleared by their respective ‘high commands’.

Interestingly, the Election Commission of India (EC) has announced the schedule of polls but probable candidates are hesitating to open election offices.

The candidates are eagerly waiting for this period to end to start their campaign aggressively by opening offices and filing nomination papers.

“We are busy at the head office in finalising the poll plan, holding meetings of office-bearers and other leaders,” a senior BJP leader in Jammu said and admitted that other activities had not yet started due to the ongoing ‘ominous’ days.

“As of now, we are giving final touches to digital campaigns, posters, banners, schedule of star speakers, dates of poll rallies and door-to-door campaigns,” he said.

Parties have almost finalised names of their candidates but the latter also want that announcement of their candidature should be made during auspicious days. The campaigning will start in full swing after Holi.

What is holashtak?

The week before Holi is called ‘holashtak’, considered as an ominous period of the year. This year, holashtak started on March 14 and will continue till March 21. As per Hindu rituals, any kind of auspicious work is strictly prohibited during this period. It is believed that any work done during this period will give back exactly the opposite result