Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak in parliament and give answer to people’s question on his decision of sudden demonetization of Rs.500 and Rs. 1,000 denomination notes, Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi on the currency ban.
“PM can speak on TV, pop concert, but why not in the Parliament?” The Congress Vice president was referring to PM Modi addressing the recently concluded Global Citizen Festival 2016 that was held in Mumbai.
Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Modi, Gandhi said: “He doesn’t even take inputs from his ministers, does whatever comes to his mind.”
Gandhi claimed that banks are dispensing cash to a select few through backdoor.
“The people standing in queues told me that banks are cutting deals. Only select people are getting cash,” he said.
The Congress is playing a pivotal role in the criticism of the notes ban, introduced in a sudden televised address on November 8 by the PM. Mr Gandhi has thrice joined lines outside ATMs at different banks in Delhi and Mumbai. He said he “wants to share the experience and hardship of the common man.”
Senior Left leader Sitaram Yechury made similar remarks on Twitter: “A PM who has time to address pop music concerts but is refusing to face Parliament. #Demonetisation #ManMadeDisaster.”
Spokesman from Congress RS Surjewala said, “70 people have died in 13 days on account of demonetisation decision, will PM apologise to those families? Modi Govt has seen that it can neither go back nor go fwd on #DeMonetisation, they are devising escape routes, escapism won’t do.”
However, replying to Gandhi’s question, BJP spokesperson Shaina NC said, “The people are standing with the Modi Government. They know whether they face problem or not, it is in national interest.”
Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi echoing similar sentiments said that the government is ready for a debate on the demonetisation issue in Parliament but the opposition is finding unnecessary excuses.
“This desperation is not for ban on high-value currency but because of the steps initiated to get rid of the black money. We have appealed to the opposition that they should discuss and debate the issue but unfortunately they don’t want to discuss it and are finding excuses,” he said.
