The by-elections to Shahdol lok Sabha and Nepanagar Assembly constituencies scheduled for November 19 have assumed more significance as 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 as they have to retain their 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 seen as having reservations about the BJP- led Central Government.
Shahdol lok Sabha bypoll has been necessitated 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.
The 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 demonetisation 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 the 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 are forced to stand in long queues. Farmers are not having money to purchase fertilisers and seeds, he alleged.
Rejecting the Congress' contention, State BJP vice-president Vijesh lunawat said demonetisation is not an issue in the tribal-dominated area. They are more concerned with issues of getting land lease rights, their staple food is rice and juar and they are happy with it, he said.
He further said that in the last election, his party had won the Shahdol seat with a margin of over two lakh votes. He expected that the BJP will retain it with a difference of more than 1.5 lakh ballots.