Cash clean-up upsets candidates’ applecart

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 7

The demonetisation move of the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre has also hit the campaigning of candidates in the fray for the MC poll, scheduled to be held on December 18.

The candidates are finding it difficult to make daily payments to dholis, tea vendors, organising lunch for party workers and supporters, and to meet other routine expenses. 

Congress candidate Harmohinder Singh Lucky (Ward No. 1) said they were facing difficulty in making payments to tea vendors and getting photostat copies of documents, besides meeting other daily expenses. People are reluctant to accept the Rs 2,000 note. Besides, instead of campaigning, one of the family members has to visit the bank to withdraw cash to meet the daily election expenses, he said. 

Requesting anonymity, another candidate said the situation would improve in the coming days, but by then, the elections would be over in Chandigarh. 

“We are taking the help of friends and family members to meet the shortage of cash for campaigning,” he said. 

Echoing similar views, local BSP president Jagir Singh, who is contesting from Ward No. 7, said small vendors were not accepting cheques and the Rs 2,000 note. Small currency notes of Rs 100, Rs 20 and Rs 10 denominations are not available in adequate numbers, he said. 

“Today, my wife went to a bank to withdraw Rs 24,000, but was given only Rs 4,000. I took help from one of my friends to make payments. The shortage of money has hit the election campaign badly,” Jagir Singh said.