The demonetisation may also benefit BJP, it alleged, as Modi’s move also carries an implied partisan agenda, which is hurting the other political parties’ funding more than his own party by this sudden demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes and it will help the party to become a significant upper hand in the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab it alleged.
“In the electorally pivotal states of UP and Punjab, BJP’s primary rivalries are often local and smaller parties which have less diversified funding and depend heavily on small cash donations,” it noted. “So, even if BJP suffers blowback from the clampdown, it is likely to end up less affected, thanks to its national network as well as the numerous ‘family member’ organisations affiliated to it,” the article asserted.
The article also stated that Modi’s “heroic image” embodied in the anti-black money campaign is also something BJP can bank on, especially as the party seemingly “lacks a strong chief ministerial face” in UP now.
In the last decade, undocumented sources like cash donations accounted for around 75% of the funding for India’s political parties, it added.
Sourced from agencies, feature image courtesy: bbci.co.uk
