Press Trust of India
Ghazipur (UP), Nov 14:
Pummelling the Congress and other parties which are opposing demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said the corrupt were upset while the poor were “enjoying a sound sleep” after his decision and urged people to bear some inconvenience to root out graft.
“After demonetisation, the poor are enjoying a sound sleep while rich are running from pillar to post to buy sleeping pills,” Modi said as he tried to rally public support in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, picking up from where he left Sunday in his speeches laced with emotion and aggression in Goa and Belagavi.
“My decision is a little harsh. When I was young, poor people used to ask for ‘kadak’ (strong) tea but it spoils the mood of rich,” he said at BJP’s Parivartan Yatra rally here.
Particularly stinging in his criticism of Congress which has accused him of causing harassment to the common people, the PM recalled that Congress governments had imposed Emergency, stifling rights of the people and the media, and had banned ‘chavanni’ (25 paise coins).
Meanwhile, the Congress accused the Modi government of unleashing “economic anarchy” and “tax terrorism” in the country and called for unity among opposition parties.
“Whatever may be the differences, political parties should not shy away from voicing the concern of the people so as to address the grievances,” party’s chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said soon after the meeting of the opposition parties.
Mamata Banerjee, who has been in touch with various parties on the issue, including arch rival CPI(M), slammed Modi for his remarks that poor are enjoying a sound sleep after demonetisation, saying it was an “insult” to the common people.
BSP supremo Mayawati, stung by the apparent reference to her in Modi’s “garland of notes” remark, unleashed a no- holds-barred attack on the Prime Minister, saying he cannot tolerate that a “dalit ki beti” is presented such a garland.
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury also sought to pick holes in the demonetisation drive, claiming that Prime Minister’s stated objectives including those of tackling corruption will not be achieved with the steps taken.