With less than a week left for the high-stakes civic body polls in Chandigarh, Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and Congress are now fielding star campaigners to woo the voters.
While the BJP brought in Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar and BJP MP and national president Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Anurag Thakur for campaigning, former Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and Himachal Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur sought support for Congress candidates in the MC polls slated for December 18.
Demonetisation remained the key issue for both the parties during the electioneering. While the Congress leaders hit out at the BJP led Central Government for demonetisation move which is affecting the common man, the BJP star campaigners assured the public that demonetisation will curb corruption, black money and ensure growth in economy after sometime.
Haryana CM Manohar lal while addressing public meetings here said, “Demonetisation would not only help eliminate corruption but would also keep a check on black money.”
Slamming opposition parties for opposition the demonetisation move, he said that those opposing demonetisation of old currency of high denomination did not understand the pulse of the public.
Anurag Thakur, who is also BCCI president addressed a series of public meetings here and called for Congress free Chandigarh Corporation. Thakur, while pointing out on black money and demonetisation said, “I can understand that people may be facing problems due the transition that is happening for making India a corruption free country. But I would urge one and all, especially the youth brigade, to encourage everyone to use their mobile phones as money wallets.
He said Chandigarh Corporation should be made Congress-free. In the last 14 years Congress could do nothing while BJP managed to do a lot in 10 months so you can imagine what can be done in coming 5 years”, he said.
Thakur also lambasted the Congress for criticising the Narendra Modi Government over demonetisation, as they are themselves corrupt and don’t know how to dispose off their black money.
On the other hand, HP Health Minister Thakur Kaul Singh slammed the demonetisation move and spoke on the problems the public is facing since past one month. He also appealed to the people to vote for Congress candidates to ensure overall development of Chandigarh.
Former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said that the people of the country have been facing the hardships due to the wrong policies of the BJP Government.
Criticising the demonetisation decision, he said that it has affected the economy badly.
A day before, Bhojpuri actor-turned-politician Manoj Tiwari and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Bhagat Singh Koshiyari had campaigned for BJP candidates, while Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar sought support for party candidates. Congress senior leaders Shakeel Ahmed and Randeep Surjewala are scheduled to campaign for the party on Tuesday.
The municipal corporation polls are being considered as a litmus test for the BJP, which had made a clean sweep in the mayoral elections held earlier this year by winning all the three key posts of mayor, senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor in the city.
The polls in 26 wards of Chandigarh are also keenly watched as they are being held post demonetisation and BJP’s recent victory in Maharashtra and Gujarat’s civic body election.
Chandigarh has around 5, 07,190 voters including 2,70,358 males, 2,36,819 females and 13 third gender. During the election, there will be around 460 polling booths in the city.