MP bypolls spell BJP’s first test after cash drive
All eyes are now focused on the two byelections in Madhya Pradesh, scheduled to be held on November 19, billed as a referendum on the BJP-led Central government’s demonetisation move.
The Opposition Congress has made the demonetisation issue its key poll plank in the twin byelections to Shahdol (ST) Lok Sabha and Nepanagar (ST) Assembly constituencies, highlighting the miseries of people in the wake of `500 and `1,000 notes being banned.
“People are facing serious problems following the measure. Common people are forced to stand in long queues to exchange their high value currency notes. Farmers have no money to purchase fertiliser and seeds. Simmering anger among the people over the scarcity of cash will reflect in the two byelections, and the ruling BJP will suffer defeats in both the polls,” Madhya Pradesh Congress committee president Arun Yadav said.
However, BJP spokesperson Hitesh Bajpayee dismissed the talks of demonetisation move having any impact on the two byelections.
“Demonetisation is no issue in these tribal dominated areas. The tribals of these two constituencies are more concerned about getting land lease rights. They are happy with their staple food — rice and jowar,” he added.
The BJP appeared hell bent on retaining both the seats, with chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan himself taking charge of electioneering for the party.
He has deployed over a dozen of his ministers in different areas in these two constituencies to woo voters.
“The campaigns of both the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress in the two byelections have gained ‘unusual’ momentum after the demonetisation announcement by the Centre. The Congress wanted to project the byelections as referendum on demonetisation measure to cash in on the apparent anger of the people in the area”, a state government employee posted in Shahdol told this newspaper.