Readers tell us if demonetisation will affect the results of Punjab and UP polls
On November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his government's decision to scrap old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000. What followed was widespread public anguish, criticism and counter-criticism. The word "demonetisation" not just entered our vocabulary but also decided the way we spend our money.
The Modi government claimed that the move was a war against the menace of corruption, black money and terrorism even as the common man struggled to access their own money. The RBI added to their woes with its guidelines and the frequently introduced changes in them.
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| Elections are all about what the common man thinks. (Credit: PTI) |
The government's push for a cashless economy was visibly without preparation. Many still (religiously) defended the Modi government's demonetisation drive for the "sake of the country". However, there were many others who argued that all those tall claims (of seizing black money and curbing the finance of terrorism) were aimed at the forthcoming Assembly elections in the states, especially the high-stakes polls in Uttar Pradesh. Now that the Election Commission has announced the poll dates (UP in seven phases from February 11 to March 27, and Punjab on February), we asked our readers if demonetisation will really have any affect on the results of Punjab and UP Assembly polls.
What our readers told us is not just interesting, but also something that the political parties might find worth considering. After all, elections are all about what the common man thinks. Read on:
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DailyO readers weigh in.
Bipin Kumar: Yes, demonetisation will affect the results of elections. It led to people's hardship, pain and several deaths across the nation.
Rita Sen: What Modiji has done for the country is exemplary. Parties like Congress, AAP or SP are nothing in front of him.
RR Rao: The way Modi cried in front of people claiming that he has made so many sacrifices for the country, the foolish people of India might bring BJP to power in UP and Punjab. After all, everybody loves a sob story.
Rinu Raha: Demonetisation was a big circus and so are our elections. It might turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the BJP.
Ali Akbar: Modi has sold India to US corporations. It's time for citizens to wake up and demonstrate.
John Smith: No. it will not as we have a very short memory and we are emotional fools.
Amit Gupta: Yes, in favour of BJP.
Ajay Phadke: It's advisable that the BJP remains as the single largest party in UP and Punjab for the sake of this sick nation of idol worshippers.