Bhopal: The by-elections to Shahdol Lok Sabha and Nepanagar Assembly seats scheduled on November 19 have assumed more significance these are the first elections in the State after demonetisation of high-value notes. While the electorate in both the constituencies are mum, the elections have become crucial for the BJP to retain their both the seats. It is expected that after demonetisation, the BJP would face problems as those waiting for days in queues in front of banks and ATMs are being dubbed as against the BJP- led Central government.
Shahdol Lok Sabha bypoll has been necessitated is caused by the death of Dalpat Singh Paraste, who had won the seat in 2014, while the Nepanagar Assembly seat fell vacant due to the demise of Rajendra Shyamlal Dadu in an accident. Both the seats were in possession of the BJP. Congress has fielded Himadri Singh, daughter of former Union Minister Dalbir Singh and ex-MP Rajesh Nandini Singh in Shahdol, while the BJP has put up tribal leader and state minister Gyan Singh.
The BJP leaders exuded confidence of retaining both the ST seats with comfortable margins, claiming that the currency scrapping will not affect the party’s prospects.
The Congress, however, said the move will hit the ruling party badly in the polls. People are highly annoyed with the decision and I am sure that they will vote against BJP on the issue, PCC chief Arun Yadav said, adding that people are facing grave problems with this dictatorial order. Both common man and farmers were forced to stand in long queues. Farmers are not having money to purchase fertilisers and seeds.