Post demoetisation, the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) seems to be increasingly concerned about the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections. At least this is what the recently concluded Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) coordination meeting, held on 17 and 18 December in Lucknow, indicates.
According to reliable sources, all the members of the RSS and the Sangh Parivaar were asked to submit a report over the challenges that the party could face over the demonetisation issue, prior to the meeting.
Either Normalise the Situation or Shift Election Dates
According to sources, the Sangh unanimously told the BJP that ensuring victory amidst the current political scenario is not possible. In such a situation, the best that the party can do is to either take steps to put an end to the inconvenience caused due to demonetisation or postpone the date of elections. The same advice was given by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS).
Fifteen days after demonetisation, public sentiment was in favor of BJP. Everyone, despite facing inconveniences, was praising the government’s bold move. But when these problems didn’t end with time, the political atmosphere began to change.
The Turning Tide
An influential RSS campaigner said that just after demonetisation, two things were working in favor of BJP. First, the promise of curbing black money. Second, the hope of bridging the gap between the rich and the poor. But when the cash crunch did not end even after 30 days, public disappointment started coming out of the closet.
Sources have even claimed that the opposition, up to a certain extent, played its part in turning the public against the government. The opposition has succeeded in sending the message that note ban has caused little or no inconvenience to the rich people who actually had black money. Instead, it has only led to never-ending misery for the honest poor people.
BJP MPs Had Also Issued a Warning
Some BJP MPs had also warned the BJP high command regarding this issue. Sources close to the party said that recently one MP had intimated the ground reality to the party president Amit Shah. Other MPs from UP were also present at the time.
MPs from Uttar Pradesh had told the party president particularly that if the situation is not brought under control soon, the party could bear the brunt in the upcoming state election.
The stipulated 50 day time period set by the PM is soon going to end but the situation outside banks and ATMs is showing no sign of improvement. If the situation doesn’t normalise even after 50 days, what will we say to the public?An MP, on conditions of anonymity
Cashless Society in UP is a Far Sighted Dream
The way Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pushing the agenda of cashless society in his rallies post demonetisation is definitely not in sync with the ground reality, at least in Uttar Pradesh. Two factors testify this:
Lack of Literacy
In comparison to other states in the country, UP still faces acute illiteracy. In such a situation, it will take a long battle to prepare people for a cashless society. There are still people who, despite having a smartphone, have to resort to the help of others to operate them.
Lack of Network Connectivity
Despite companies singing sermons about improved connectivity across the country, it is no secret that people in remote areas are still struggling with connectivity issues.
Is BJP Out of The Number 1 Race?
If political analysts are to be believed, prior to demonetisation, BJP was at the forefront in the upcoming state elections. But going by the current political scenario in the state, it won't be difficult to assert that it is lagging behind by leaps and bounds.
Statements of party members, Sangh Parivaar and well wishers of the party are increasingly indicating that they are fearing major setbacks in the Uttar Pradesh state polls.
(Translated from Quint Hindi by Harshita Murarka)
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