Chandigarh:
In the Congress party, which has often been accused of encouraging sycophancy, loyalty pledges are becoming a pattern.
In the latest version of the vow, this time in Punjab where polls are due next year, workers have to promise that they will not contest against the party if they are not selected as candidates.
Punjab Congress Chief Amarinder Singh told reporters that the party wants to avoid a repeat of 2012, when a large number of rebels damaged its plans to defeat the Akali-BJP alliance.
"We have told contenders that those who don't get tickets will be rewarded with prized posts once the party comes to power while those who will not abide by the party high command's directions will be expelled for 5 years," said the former chief minister.
The Congress has invited applications for the Punjab contest. Aspiring candidates have to submit, along with their application, the loyalty affidavit signed in front of a witness.
Punjab Congress workers have to sign this pledge
The declaration says: "I take a pledge that if I am not selected for any constituency on behalf of the Congress, I will not contest on any seat against any Congress candidate in this election and will fully support the official Congress candidate."
The workers also have to declare that they are "in full agreement with the basic policies of the Congress." Everyone also has to give in writing that they will abide by the party's instructions and whips.
Sources say master strategist Prashant Kishor, who has been engaged by the Congress to boost its campaign in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, had a big role in developing the pledge.
Candidates also have to disclose whether they ever left the party in the past.
In May, after the Congress lost the West Bengal election, all party MPs were asked to sign a declaration of "unqualified allegiance" to the party and its leaders, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
The Congress is hoping to make big gains in Punjab, where the Akali-BJP government has been in power for two consecutive terms. Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party is providing a third angle in what is usually a direct contest between two parties.