Congress on Monday dared the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release the bank details of the Bhartiya Janata Party at the national and state levels amid allegations that the party was informed in advance of the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.
Congress chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala cited deposits of Rs 3 crore made by West Bengal BJP in a nationalised bank eight days before the Prime Minister's demonetisation announcement.
West Bengal BJP had deposited Rs one crore in the form of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes on November eight shortly before the demonetisation decision was announced by Modi.
Claiming that "some select people" had prior knowledge of the demonetisation decision, Surjewala said that this is indicative from the fact that in September this year banks deposits went up by Rs 5,88,600 crore as compared to August.
He also found fault with the government raising by 130 per cent the limit of the amount that could be sent abroad by an Indian national in the last two years.
Accusing the Prime Minister of facilitating sending Indian money abroad, he wanted to know whom he was helping by the move which resulted in Rs 30,000 crore going to foreign countries as against Rs 10,400 crore earlier.
Surjewala charged the government with unleashing "tax terrorism" which, he said, has "seriously" affected markets across the country with small traders severely hit.
Targeting the Prime Minister for seeking 50 days to deal with the "crisis", he sought to know as to who created it and why there was no adequate preparation.
Surjewala accused the government of unleashing "economic anarchy" and "tax terrorism" in the country and virtually appealing to all opposition parties to put up a united fight on the issue.
"Whatever may be the differences, all political parties should not shy away from voicing the concerns of the people so as to address the grievances," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala told reporters, charging "autocratic" Prime Minister Narendra Modi with unleashing "economic anarchy".
The remarks came close on the heels of a meeting Congress and seven other opposition parties had to formulate a joint strategy to corner the government on various issues including demonetisation that has caused inconvenience to the people ahead of Winter Session of Parliament beginning November 16.
"This isn't an issue of a single political party but where the entire country has been plunged into economic anarchy by the dictatorial and autocratic PM and his government and it is our duty to raise and champion the voice of the people in the most befitting fashion," Surjewala said.
He said that this should be done to draw the attention of the government which in its "arrogance of power and numbers" is not paying heed to reason and cry of the people.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a trong critic of Modi, has also alleged that BJP and its “friends” were informed a week before the decision.
"There is evidence that their (BJP) friends and own people were informed a week before the decision was announced. They have made all arrangements like buying property or gold. BJP is going to fight polls in Uttar Pradesh and other states. It has made arrangements,” Kejriwal said.
The Prime Minister, in a televised address to the nation, had declared that high denomination notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 will no longer be legal tender from November 8-9 midnight.
He had said the Government has declared a "decisive war" against black money and corruption.
