BENGALURU: Union minister for information and broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu took strong exception to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's comment calling demonetisation a foolish move.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a revolutionary step to end corruption, black money and counterfeit currency coming from Pakistan. Is taking action against black money a foolish move?" Naidu asked while speaking to media persons here on Friday.
Congress government did not take any action to end black money and Manmohan Singh presided over the monumental mismanagement of the country, he said. The Congress government was a collaborator in all scams and corruption during its rule and now they are making baseless allegations against the government that took adequate measures before announcing demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes.
The Union minister accused opposition parties of disrupting proceedings in the parliament and talking about it outside. "They are not allowing the proceedings inside the parliament and are protesting outside, near Gandhi statue. It is an insult to democracy and to (Mahatma) Gandhi. The opposition is acting in a childish manner,'' he said.
He appealed the opposition parties to allow the proceedings in the House as many important bills, including disabled persons reservation bill, have to be tabled. "If the opposition thinks that demonetisation is a foolish move, the best way is to debate in the House and expose the government,'' he said.
Temporary pain
On the problems faced due to demonetisation, the minister said, "With demonetisation a revolution is in evolution. Any revolution means some initial problems and it would take some time (to end those problems). Government is alive to all such issues and is taking appropriate measures.''
Asked about many deaths related to demonetisation, the minister shot back saying, "During Congress regimes in Karnataka and Maharastra many farmers committed suicide due to distress.'' The minister went on to say what is being witnessed now is a "temporary pain for long term gain.''