BJP President Amit Shah on Friday asked all opposition parties critical of the demonetisation of ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes to explain whether they are “for or against” terrorists, black money hoarders, drug smugglers, hawala traders – who have been hit by this announcement.
Asserting that all honest citizens and deshbhakts are supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “decisive” anti-corruption measure, the BJP President said political parties like Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party have “shown their real face” to the people by supporting black money.
He said opposition parties must explain their criticism of the scheme if they do not want to be labelled as supporters of corruption and terrorism.
Shah did not include Trinamool Congress Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in this gallery of terrorist-supporters, although she has been the fiercest of all opposition leaders in her criticism of the demonetisation scheme.
Naming AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, BSP Chief Mayawati and SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Shah demanded to know whether they are “black money supporters”. “I can understand the angst of those hoarding black money, links with terrorism, fake currency dealers and narcotic smugglers. But it is surprising that political parties are so upset. They were demanding to know what the BJP has done against black money. They are now jittery because the PM has taken the fight against corruption and black money to a decisive level,” said the BJP President.
“From the way these parties behaving and the kind of atmosphere that is sought to be created, I want to know whether they are for terrorism, black money hoarders, drug smugglers, fake currency dealers and hawala traders or against them? Are you encouraging black marketers? The SP, BSP, Congress and AAP have to explain,” said Shah.
About the BSP Chief Mayawati’s assertion that demonetisation scheme has created conditions similar to imposition of an economic emergency, Shah said: “It is patently untrue. However, for the BSP, the situation may be similar to an economic emergency.”
Shah said the PM has arrived at the decision to demonetise has been arrived at after much deliberation and an elaborate administrative exercise.
“It is meant to only target black money. Common people will not face any problem. The BJP will safeguard the interest of every honest citizen,” asserted the BJP President.