PM, Opposition spar over demonetisation issue

Lead Opposition party Congress continued to target Modi over demonetising old high-denomination currency notes, terming it a ‘political move made without preparation’ that stemmed from his propensity for ‘ dhamaka politics’ (politics aimed at seeking publicity). 

The JD(U) will, however, not be a part of the proposed protests as its leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has supported demonetisation of old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. With Jan Dhan accounts witnessing a surge in deposits, Modi issued a warning to those using poor people to park their illegal money, saying the strict ‘benami’ law would be implemented against such transactions. 

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, however, said no ‘ Bharat Bandh ’ has been called and that opposition parties will only hold protests across the country against demonetisation. Calling demonetisation a political move, Ramesh said it had brought all economic activity to a standstill. “It is a political decision for three reasons. Prime  Minister Narendra Modi believes in ‘dhamaka’ (publicity oriented) approach to politics. This is a dhamaka which has changed the narrative,” he said.