West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the people will show him the exit door for tinkering with the federal structure of the country.
Mamata dubbed the demonetisation of high-value currency notes as ‘black emergency’ and rubbished the Modi government’s assertion that this step was aimed at ending the menace of black money.
“Economy is down. The GDP has suffered huge losses. This is not a fight against black money. This is ‘black emergency’. The people are suffering. They (government) want to finish off the federal structure. There are so many villages which do not have banks. How will the people survive? If you get salary in cheques instead of cash then how will you run your daily expenses?” she said.
“Some media outlets reported about demonetisation way back in April. The BJP was well aware of the move. Demonetisation is a scandal, which is unfolding slowly,” she added.
Reaching out to the people in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, Banerjee alleged that the Prime Minister was secretly looting the nation.
“If your daughter is getting married, plead to the Prime Minister…he will save you,” she said on a sarcastic note.
The West Bengal Chief Minister asserted that people must have full access to their money.
“After snatching everybody’s money, he is saying we have enough cash now…You will get change in Big Bazar but the poor and the farmers won’t get it from the cooperative banks. What will the people do with Rs. 2000 notes? Which shop will give them change?” asked Banerjee.
“Rollback demonetisation or go back Modi ji. The PM is giving only speeches while he has failed to give ration to the people. If Uttar Pradesh has made you the Prime Minister, it can also remove you from the post too,” she said.
The West Bengal Chief Minister further alleged that there was no planning on the government’s part prior to implementation of the scheme.
“We have been talking of state-funded elections for a long time now. The colour of different Rs 2,000 notes are different. This is scandalous. There was no planning. If 1,000 rupees notes promote black money, do 2,000 rupees notes promote white money?” she wondered.
“The notes of smaller denominations are not available. Why was no planning done? If we raise our voice, they threaten to unleash their agencies on us. They are depriving us of our constitutional rights. Shops are closed. Farmers are distressed, households are facing problems. After this they will come for your homes and gold. They have already destroyed the future of the youth,” she added.
Citing the famous couplet “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna Ab Hamare Dil Mein Hai, Dekhna Hai Zor Kitna Bazu-e-Katil Me Hai”, Banerjee said that she was even ready to go to jail for this cause.
“The labourers in unorganised sector are out of work. Food production has stopped. Productivity is at a standstill. I do not mind going to the jail,” she said.
The TMC boss also took a dig at Prime Minister Modi for asking the BJP MPs and MLAs to disclose their bank transactions post the demonetisation move.
“They are calling everyone thieves. Are 85 percent people in the country thieves? And you are the only ‘sadhu’ (saint)? Are we not Hindus? We are. But we care for all religions. But you (BJP) do not work for people,” said Banerjee.
“Where is the black money that they were to bring from foreign countries? They have instead looted the people of the country. The Prime Minister has asked the party MPs to disclose their bank transactions. They should start this process with their party president (Amit Shah),” she added.
The TMC boss further alleged that the BJP is looting the country without declaring Emergency.
“From freedom struggle to fight for land rights, Uttar Pradesh has always been at the forefront of movements in India. Uttar Pradesh has given India several Prime Ministers. This is a fight for people’s rights. You did ‘note bandi’, people will do ‘vote bandi’,” she said.
