Mayawati, Mulayam Singh Yadav try to outdo each other in blasting cash ban move

LUCKNOW: The Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party are trying to outdo each another in deriving political mileage out of the fallout of the demonetisation exercise even as the BJP is now saying the step has led to reduction in crime in UP.

The BJP state unit has begun a campaign to say demonetisation has led to 33% reduction in looting crimes and the inflation rate has dropped from 4.2 to 3.9.

Ahead of the crucial election in the state, BSP leaders told ET that Mayawati has gone all-out in criticizing the move as she does not want to be “a fence-sitter” like leaders of the Samajwadi Party, which the BSP believes will mainly benefit it when votes are cast.

“Mayawati has taken on the Modi government virtually from Day 1 calling it an illconceived move – so much so that the PM was forced to attack her by name.

BJP’s core voters who are angry with demonetization – traders and well-off farmers – will shift to BSP. We believe one has to choose a side firmly. Both Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav have been fence-sitters for long before joining in to criticize demonetization,” a senior BSP leader told ET.

Mayawati’s future rallies in UP after the Parliament session will focus on demonetization too.

Leaders of the Samajwadi Party in Lucknow, however, pointed out that both Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and the SP supremo have been scathing in their critique of demonetisation since late November, with Mulayam even terming the PM as a “Number 1 liar” at a rally in Bareilly on December 7.

This was a day after Mayawati did the same at a rally in Lucknow. “In fact, Mulayam will be targeting PM at his future rallies too on demonetization. After Modi did a rally in Ghazipur on November 13, Mulayam did a rally there on November 23.

Mulayam did another rally in Bareilly on December 7 where he spoke strongly against demonetization and is set for another rally in Deoria on December 20, after Modi spoke in adjoining Kushinagar on November 27.

The idea is that Mulayam will counter Modi on demonetization as we feel it is a major poll issue now,” a senior SP leader said. BJP leaders meanwhile feel BSP stands to lose ground due to its wholesale criticism of demonetization.

“SPs main issue is with the poor implementation leading to no cash in banks,” a state BJP leader said, claiming the Yadav family has been “more strategic” in its criticism compared to Mayawati.

“This shows Samajwadi Party also senses a support for the move among a sizeable section of the populace too and does not want a blow-back.

Mayawati’s criticism has been unbridled making PM and Amit Shah take on Mayawati saying she is extremely vocal given she is the worst affected by demonetisation.

The corruption badge has stuck on to her image in this election,” the BJP leader said. BJP is now launching a campaign to educate public about the “benefits” of the demonetization exercise.