Dehradun sources have stated that at his recent rally (27 December, 2016) in Dehradun, Narendra Modi gave special focus on his government’s demonetization decision by describing it as a useful weapon to deal with problems like fake notes and terrorism in one stroke. He also referred to the problems faced by the people in the wake of this particular decision and highlighted it as people’s cooperation in the fight against corruption.
Perhaps Modi was aware about the ruling Congress Party’s desperate attempts to develop implementation part of the demonetization decision as an issue against its main political rival BJP in the forthcoming Uttarakhand Assembly polls. More than three weeks before Uttarakhand goes to vote on 15 February, there is no indication to suggest demonetization as an important poll issue in the state’s hill or plain parts.
Since Uttarakhand has a large number of retired and serving army-men as voters, the sense of nationalism always matters in election campaign. So, Modi’s special focus on demonetization at his Dehradun rally has apparently its own political meaning in this state.
Meanwhile on the contrary, Chief Minister Harish
Rawat has been trying hard to stop the BJP from gaining indirect political
benefits in the assembly polls by centre’s demonetization decision. Reports
reaching from various districts show that BJP or Congress is giving little
attention to the demonetization issue in its election campaign.
