Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday defended demonetisation, saying that it was a 'highly ethical' move and not a 'political' one.
Speaking to reporters after releasing BJP's manifesto in Bhopal ahead of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections, Jaitley said that demonetisation has increased the tax return filings and also increased the revenue of the states and the Centre immensely.
His statement comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi engaged in war of words during their respective election rallies over the government's demonetisation move announced on November 8, 2016.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday criticised the government over demonetisation, saying it was the "biggest scam" of India.
Addressing a rally in Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh ahead of the second phase of voting on November 20, Modi claimed people did not have issues with demonetisation, but "only a family".
The prime minister claimed the Congress was "worried" that he took away all the money its "minions and friends" had stashed under their beds and in sacks in one stroke.
Modi had said his government was investing the money recovered post-demonetisation on carrying out public works and funding welfare schemes.