Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday criticized the Centre's move to ban 500 and 1,000 rupee currency notes and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pro-capitalist and pro-corporate.
Gogoi told ANI, "Socialism means concern for the poor and not just few small section of society. Modi is pro-capitalist and a pro-corporate. There are low income groups and those are the worst sufferers. Price rise is on and job creation has stopped."
"Everybody wants to get rid of corruption and black money. Two and a half years have passed but we did not see Modi bring back the black money. He has failed. He promised that he would bring the money back from Swiss banks within 100 days. We have not found in our account the fifteen lakhs which he promised," he added.
The Prime Minister, who has drawn sharp flak from a united opposition post his decision to scrap 500 and 1,000 rupee currency notes, urged all to support his decision and bless him in his war against black or undeclared money.
"There are some political parties that are worried over currency ban. Those against me are strong people. But I will not be scared of them. I will not leave the path of truth and integrity. Some people never say anything on your face, but behind your back they poke other people to oppose and go against you," he added while addressing a mega rally in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.
The Congress and other opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Modi of introducing an anti-poor scheme by banning Rs. 500 and 1,000 currency notes in a sudden move last week.
The currency crunch that has followed has left the people standing for hours in queues at banks to draw money, which is being rationed till there are enough replacement notes.