NEW DELHI: Amidst political slugfest over demonetization of high value currency, the BJP on Friday sought to take high ground on the issue of black money, while asking the Opposition parties to clarify their positions. Claiming that the Opposition has been rattled over the decision of demonetization, the BJP chief Amit Shah stated that “some political parties have become poorer”.
The BJP chief challenged the Opposition to contest the upcoming state elections on the issue of black money. “Let the people decide which party is against black money,” said Shah, while adding that the Opposition parties always questioned the Narendra Modi-led NDA government on steps being taken against black money. “Now that the government unveiled strongest measures against black money, these parties are rattled,” claimed Shah.
The BJP chief also refuted the claims that the ruling party knew in advance about the impending government decision. “only constitutional authorities and those in the administration knew of the upcoming decision. The BJP has no illicit money. We submit our accounts with the Election Commission," added the BJP chief.
In line with the strategy of the BJP and the NDA government at the Centre to fire-fight the apparent anger among the people inconvenienced by the measure, Shah sought to counter the charges of the Congress, Samajwadi Party, BSP and Trinamool Congress by claiming that only non-tax payers and those with ill-gotten money are anguished with the decision to demonetize.
While the Finance Minister Arun Jaitely will reportedly give as many as 80 interviews to the television channels, other Union Ministers, besides the BJP leaders, would be reaching out to the media to give clarifications and messages that the economy would get a major boost following the demonetization.
“The Opposition parties have exposed themselves and shown their true face by criticising the government’s bold decision. They have been rattled. Some political parties have become poorer as well,” said Shah during a press briefing at the party headquarter.
The BJP chief wondered why Congress, SP, BSP and AAP are so “pained”. “I can understand that dealers of black money, fake currency, hawala and drug, besides naxalites are rattled. But I cannot understand why leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati and Arvind Kejriwal are joining the unhappy lot,” quipped Shah.
In a bid to reach out to the people who have been inconvenienced due to the demonetization decision, Shah stated that the “all patriots, the common man, tax payers do not need to worry and the government will protect the interests of the poor, farmers, labourers, small traders”.