BJP to highlight development, Congress the note ban, state issues

New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) As the Election Commission on Wednesday announced polling dates for five states, the BJP said development will be an important poll issue whereas the Congress said the November 8 demonetisation and state-level issues will hold the key.

Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Siddhartha Nath Singh said: "In larger states like Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the ruling parties face anti-incumbency and will not like to talk about development. While development will remain our poll plank, they will attack demonetisation."

"Voters are fed up of corruption. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are committed towards the fight against corruption. As for the development front, the BJP and its allies stand out all along."

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari put the note ban as the central issue for the coming state elections. "The notes ban has caused the maximum pain to each of the 125 crore Indians."

"Somewhere down the line, it will definitely weigh with the voters. But in assembly elections, state issues are top on the people's mind. There is going to be a mixed bunch of issues. It is not going to be a single issue on which the elections are going to be fought. The state elections are always decided more on state issues."

Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur will be held between February 4 and March 8. The results of thne elections in all five states will come out on March 11 after vote counting.