Demonetisation is a tragedy, BJP will pay for it: Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi, November 8

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi led the attack on the government on the first anniversary of demonetisation calling it a tragedy and warning Prime Minister Narendra Modi of consequences.

“Demonetisation is a tragedy. We stand with millions of honest Indians, whose lives and livelihoods were destroyed by PM’s thoughtless act. Ek aansu bhi hukumat ke liye khatra hai.. Tumne dekha nahi aankhon ka samandar hona,” Gandhi tweeted on philosophical lines indicating electoral consequences of the note ban as Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat go to polls.

Gandhi will be in Surat today to meet affected traders and later will participate in a candle light March at 8 pm, the time PM declared demonetisation last year on this day.

The Congress is marking this moment as a ‘Black Day’ and will hold candle marches to “mourn the over 100 deaths of people who were standing in queues to exchange their money”.

Earlier today, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram said: “On demonetisation ‘Black Day’ read real-life stories, say a prayer for the millions who suffered.”

He asked whether anyone could deny that lives were lost, small businesses closed and jobs were lost.

“Cash with public Rs 15 lakh crore and increasing, will soon reach November 2016 level of Rs 17 lakh crore! How much cash (money supply) there should be is a decision of RBI, not the government. Artificial reduction of cash in circulation is one of the reasons for lower demand and lower growth, Chidambaram said.

He noted that in the interest of transparency, Government and the RBI should release RBI Board’s agenda, background note and Dr Raghuram Rajan’s note.

“Modi’s currency gamble damaged Indian economy, says BBC. Is BBC a supporter of black money and corruption? Black money eliminated says the government. Let the Gujarat election campaign start and you will find the “eliminated” black money,” said the former minister.

The Congress noted that the government said black money was laundered through note exchange after demonetisation but asked “Who facilitated it? It was the same government.”

Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/demonetisation-is-a-tragedy-bjp-will-pay-for-it–rahul/494412.html