With the serpentine queues before ATMs and banks continuing for more than a week after the ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes and its impact being felt more in rural areas, BJP leaders are busy weighing possible effects of demonetisation in poll bound Uttar Pradesh.
Amid reports of deaths of at least eight people in different parts of the state reportedly from the shock following their failure to get their old currency exchanged or withdraw money from their accounts in the banks and ATMs, state BJP leaders claimed that the decision was by and large supported by the common people.
There were also reports of lathi charge on the people by the police and attacks on bank employees at many places in the state.
In rural areas, people have been selling their crops at reduced prices after running out of cash. UP BJP in-charge and senior party leader Om Mathur said that the reports of deaths following demonetisation were incorrect. “The opposition parties have been trying to mislead people by exaggerating the inconvenience,” Mathur said.
State BJP leaders said that the central leadership had directed party workers to reach out to the people, especially in rural areas, and lend them all possible assistance, and also apprise them of the positive side of demonetisation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked the the rural population to have patience saying their problems would soon be over.
BJP leaders, however, admit that the ‘support’ they were getting from the people on this issue may ‘turn into anger’ if the problem lingered. “The government must expedite the work of recalibrating the ATMs and increase supply of new currency,” said a senior state BJP leader here.
Political analysts also say that the longer the woes continue, the more will be its impact on the polls. “As of now the common people are with Modi, but their problems must be addressed quickly,” says J P Shukla, a political analyst while speaking to DH.
DH News Service