Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly defended the idea of demonetisation after a period of time, arguing that demonetisation has made “so much development possible” in a short period.
He targeted the Congress for failing to develop the State over decades in his half-an-hour speech in an election meeting in Bilaspur in north Chattisgarh on Monday.
Mr. Modi was in Chattisgarh to campaign for the second phase of polling on November 20 when 72 of State’s 90 constituencies will vote.
Mr. Modi said that the speed at which his development projects are progressing is possible due to ‘notebandi’ or demonetisation.
“People often ask me how do I deliver so much work in so many fronts — from road construction, electricity distribution, electrification of railways to building of schools or raising IIMs and IITs — where do I get so much money from. I say this money was there earlier also…”
“This is not the money of Modi, but you people; earlier it was kept below the bed or in large jute bags…because of demonetisation it all came out and that is why there is so much of work,” the Prime Minister said.
Targets Sonia, Rahul
He then targeted the Nehru-Gandhi family for poor distribution of money for projects and corruption. He argued that during Congress’ rule money used to “disappear.”
“One of Congress’ Prime Ministers — third generation prime minister as everything belonged to Congress – said that if ₹1 is released from Delhi only 15 paisa reaches people. Now, what is that ‘hand’ that used to make 85 paisa disappear? I would say, this demonetisation has brought the 85 paisa out.”
Targeting Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, Mr. Modi said that when the “mother and son are out on bail in a money laundering case they are giving me the certificate of honesty.”
They are asking for the “accounts of demonetisation” when it is for “demonetisation that the fraud these people [Sonia and Rahul] could be caught,” Mr. Modi said.
