Jalandhar, April 29 -- With Jalandhar district witnessing a fierce contest between stalwarts ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, religion continues to dominate the electoral discourse with leaders making a beeline for deras, temples and shrines.

After the venerated Ravidassiya shrine of Dera Sachkhand Ballan, the Dalit power centre that remains the most sought-after religious place for politicians ahead of the elections, Devi Talab Mandir is the second most visited religious site in Jalandhar followed by a host of temples and deras. Darbar Sahib has also been visited at least once by all candidates after getting the party ticket.

While traditionally deras were more frequently visited by candidates, the potent urban Hindu vote bank in Jala...