Elections or no elections, every evening locals gather at Pali ki Panchayati, near Sarafa Bazaar to have hot bhujiyas, kulhad tea and some gossip. Casual to serious, hilarious to humane, discussions revolve just around anything, about anybody. However, with the election season in full swing, most chatter among the young and the old veer around politics.Often, discussions get louder and noisy as they get more involved, like a prime time show on TV. It goes on for couple of hours before they retire to their homes, sometimes with a consensus drawn or with a point to talk about it next evening, over more bhujiyas and kulhad tea.Sajjan Lal Jain is a regular to the evening gatherings. He makes it to the panchayati without fail. TOI team had a chance to be present in the discussions last week. Jain and others were arguing whether a second consecutive term will help the present government or not.“Ek baar Congress ek baar BJP se bhalo ni ho riyo hai (alternative power sharing is doing no good),” he said, insisting that any government should be given at least 10 years. He was interrupted by Nathmal Kothari, a jeweller, who said, “If that is the case why Ashok Gehlot-led government was voted out in 2013. He had done many good things in the state.’’ A little later, the subject shifts to sitting MLA Ghyanchand Parakh. The reactions are mixed. Ratan Daga, who owns a bhujiya shop, joined the conversation with hot bhujiya. The group takes a pause upon his arrival and in between another round of tea, the debate picked up again. They discuss everything, from performance of the BJP candidate to who would be the next chief minister if Congress wins.Pali ki Panchayati is held for several years now. According to locals, despite similar social gatherings are held at other places, they love the time spent here.“We have our loyalties towards different parties and candidates. We disagree over several things and even land up shouting at each other but at the end of the day, we are friends. If you wish to see democracy, you must see us,” says Ramesh Chand Kapadia, another local.Similar discussion platforms are held at the neighbouring district Jodhpur. Jodhpur ki Hathayee, where people come regularly and discuss every contemporary issue including how India should deal with terrorism, and the latest speeches and comments of AICC president Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi . But Pali ki Panchayati remains unique in its own way.

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