N AJAY KASHYAP
Ever since the 8th of November, 2016 when our Prime Minister announced the demonetization scheme whereby Rs.500 and Rs.1000 ceased to be legal tender, political opponents have taken to the streets claiming it to be a move that is ‘anti-aam aadmi.’ The likes of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Bengal CM Mamta Didi have left no stone unturned to throw unsubstantiated and uncorroborated accusations at the Prime Minister, Didi going to the extent of saying that “We will remove PM Modi from politics.”
The desperation and worry of these leaders can be clearly seen from such statements. One wonders why leaders like Kejriwal who made it into politics after crusading against black money and corruption are not supporting this move which is the most significant and courageous move taken by any Government since Independence against black money.
After the Demonetization move, by-polls were held for four Parliamentary and ten Assembly seats across several states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu – and one union territory, Puducherry. In addition to this, there were Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat polls in Maharashtra. It was argued by political scientists that these by-polls will be a litmus test for BJP after Demonetization and the results of these polls will be a clear indication whether this move of the Government was indeed ‘Anti-aamaadmi.’ The results of these polls have come as a surprise to all the critics of PM NarendraModi and his Government.
In states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh where BJP was in a direct contest, the party won impressively. In Assam, not only did the BJP retain the Parliamentary seat vacated by CM Sarbanada Sonowal, it also gained an assembly seat which was previously held by the Congress. In Arunachal Pradesh, wife of Former CM Late KhalikoPul, Smt. DesinguPul contested on a BJP ticket and won by a handsome margin. In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP retained the LokSabha and Assembly seats winning them by a healthy margin. Although the TMC fared well in the by-polls of Bengal, credit must be given to BJP for coming second in one-time Left bastion of Coochbehar and pushing the Forward Bloc to a distant third position.
However, the best results for the BJP came from Maharashtra. Elections for Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats were held wherein the BJP surged ahead by winning 851 of 3510 seats up from 396 seats in 2011. The Government of Maharashtra this time introduced direct elections for the post of President in 147 Municipal Councils; the BJP won 52 of these seats with alliance partner Shiv Sena winning 23 seats. BJP seems to have wrested the Western-Maharashtra belt from the NCP and the Congress, the stronghold of leaders like Sharad Pawar.
Prime Minister tweeted post the results “a win for pro-poor & development politics of BJP”. It is true that the common tax paying citizens of our country are happy with this decision of demonetization and content with the Government’s measures to tackle cash crush. However, power hungry and scam tainted politicians like ‘Didi’ seem to have made up their mind in opposing any and every move of the Modi Government terming it as ‘Anti-aamaadmi.’ Attention seeking politicians like Delhi CM Kejriwal seem to have forgotten the mandate given by the people of Delhi and keep wasting their time on unnecessary banter on twitter against the PM instead of trying to solve the innumerous issues plaguing the common citizens of Delhi.
Rahul Gandhi on being asked about the long queues in Banks in one of the interviews said, “Janta Kamzor hai”; what a shame that even after 60 years of Congress rule which was mostly a Gandhi-Nehru family rule, the people are still “weak.” Little does he realise that as seen by the by-poll results, Congress party is on death bed and if he continues his antics, we will soon see a ‘Congress Mukt Bharat.’
It is clear by the theatrics of the opposition leaders that there are too many aspirants for the post of Prime Minister in 2019. However, a divided opposition is nothing but an asset to BJP and PM Modi. Amidst this drama, there was some hope and maturity shown by leaders like Bihar CM Nitish Kumar who went public in his support for demonetization.
All in all, one can conclude that the honest tax paying citizen is happy and willing to be inconvenienced for a few weeks for a better future but it is the corrupt and ambitious politicians who are having sleepless nights post November 8th. The nation must come together and support this move that will help in combating social evils like corruption, black money, terrorism and counterfeiting of Indian currency.