The death of transporter Prakash Pandey has shaken the state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party is now on the damage control mode on the issue which has potential to inflict political losses to it. The fact that the transporter blamed demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) for his miseries after consuming poison at the party office at the time when one of the cabinet ministers was holding Janata Milan programme would surely haunt the party in coming days.
The videos of Pandey in which he is seen blaming Union and state BJP governments for his financial woes have gone viral and are being used by the opposition in its criticism of the BJP. In one such video Pandey is seen blaming the State Government for imposing ban on mining.
The BJP leaders both at centre and state have consistently termed demonetisation and GST as two big achievements of the Union Government for controlling the black economy and bringing in a uniform tax system in the country. The opposition parties including the Congress have repeatedly said that demonetisation has dealt a mortal blow on small industries and hit rural economy.
The implementation part of the GST was also blamed by the Congress which according to them damaged the economy of the country and affected the small and marginal traders the most. Attacking the BJP Governments at Centre and state the Congress State president Pritam Singh said that their irrational and insensitive decisions had taken the life of Prakash Pandey. He said that 165 people had died after the demonetisation decision.
The Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and state president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Ajay Bhatt have expressed deep sorrow on the death of Prakash Pandey. In a statement, the CM has said that the State government is with the family members in this hour of grief. He said that best available medical facilities were provided to Pandey and the doctors had been informed that the state government was ready to shift him outside the state also if better treatment to him is available.
The CM also expressed hope that such incidences are not repeated in future. He said that in case the bereaved family demands an inquiry, the State Government is ready to order the same.
In his message Bhatt said that he personally is very sad over the death of Pandey. Terming the incident unfortunate, the BJP state president said that every possible effort was made to save his life.
He was taken to Doon hospital in the vehicle of the minister from where he was referred to a private hospital, he added. Bhatt said that the state government is ready to provide every possible help to the family of Pandey.