The ruling Samajwadi Party on Sunday said the demonetisation decision of the Narendra Modi government smacked of an attempt at “financially harming” rival political parties ahead of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
But, people who are facing severe hardships because of the note ban will “punish” BJP in the Assembly elections and teach the saffron party a lesson, SP national vice-president Kironmay Nanda said here.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation move is aimed at financial harming rival political parties in 2017 U.P. Assembly polls. This poll is a do or die for BJP. BJP thought that due to impact of demonetisation, rival parties in the State will not be able to withdraw money for polls,” Mr. Nanda said.
“BJP does not know that this step is going to be ‘atmghati’ (suicidal) for the party. People who are standing in long queues for getting their own money will vote against BJP to vent their ire,” he said.
While making it clear that SP is not against a curb on black money, the senior SP MP said the way in which demonetisation has been done showed “inexperience” of policy makers.
“This is creating problems for common man and SP is against it,” he said.
“In this vast country four out of every five village do not have banking facilities. Villagers there depend on the rich for their money needs. Due to demonetisation labourers are not getting job and they are starving. Centre has not given these issues a thought before banning 86 per cent of the currency,” he said.
“The way in which Union Finance Ministry is changing rules on daily basis only showed that they were not ready to deal with the impact of demonetisation move,” he said.
The ruling SP is against the demonetisation move in view of the hardships being faced by the commoners and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav personally conveyed this to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for releasing more funds to cooperative banks due to the cash—crunch they are facing due to demonetisation.
Akhilesh, who met Mr. Modi in Delhi last week, highlighted the hardships of farmers in the state due to the cash-crunch triggered by the demonetisation decision.
“The Prime Minister is aware of the hardships of the people. Farmers are unhappy and are facing a lot of trouble.
This is the time for sowing...There are so many co—operative banks...When will they get the money,” the chief minister had said after his meeting with the Prime Minister.
Akhilesh had earlier written to Mr. Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on the plight of the people following demonetisation.
Mr. Nanda pointed out that the Samajwadi Party government has on its part taken certain measures to ease the problems being faced by the common people.
The Chief Minister has instructed top officials to deal sympathetically with those standing in queues trying to withdraw money or exchange notes. - PTI
