Indira, Manmohan ignored demonetisation need fearing poll defeat, but BJP puts nation ahead of party : Narendra Modi
Addressing a meeting of the BJP Parliamentary committee, Modi, who has been at the receiving end in Parliament in the face of Opposition attack, particularly named former Prime Ministers- late Indira Gandhi and "Manmohan Singh- for "doing nothing" fearing electoral defeat.
Modi declared that his party, BJP, considers the nation greater than the party and the Government will go ahead with more measures taking support from non-BJP leaders like Nitish Kumar and Navin Patnaik to continue with the fight.
“Indira Gandhi told Y.B. Chavan (the then Finance Minister) that don't you want to contest polls? This was Congress plank but they did not implement," Modi said alleging that even though such a recommendation was made by the Wanchoo Committee as early as in 1971, the Congress sat on it fearing slide in popular support and defeat in elections.
"Had this (demonetisation) been implemented then, the country would not have been destroyed." Modi said. has resulted in poor condition of the economy.
He said Manomhan Singh kept stating the need to erase black money and check corruption but "did nothing during his 10 years" in power as the head of the Congress-led coalition Government from 2004 to 2014.
Modi also criticised Communists for opposing demonetisation and being with the Congress on the issue. "Communist parties have uprooted themselves from their ideology," he said.
"Is party bigger than the nation ?....for Congress party is before the nation, but for BJP the nation is bigger than party," Modi said
Praising Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his Odisha counterpart Navin Patnaik for turning out to be unlikely supporters of demonetisation drive, the PM said there are many people who are ideologically opposed to NDA and BJP, yet supported the drive against corruption, black money.
"Want to thank Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for their support to demonetisation," he said.
"Demonetisation is a ‘step’ towards eradication of corruption and black money...it is not the last step in our fight against corruption...We have to move ahead with those supporting us in our fight against black money," Modi said.
"A time will come when loans will be granted in 6 minutes. This will be possible because of digital technology...Digital economy should be made way of life," Modi said adding his Government is taking steps in the interest of the nation.
The comments from PM Modi come as the Opposition vehemently objected to note ban that resulted in cash crunch across the country, especially in rural India.
But Modi said the difficulties being faced by people will be over after 50 days
Modi had earlier on Friday urged the nation to embrace digital payment methods to ensure that corruption and black money is rooted out of the country.
A delegation of Congress leaders gave a memorandum to Prime Minister Modi to demand relief for debt-ridden farmers.
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