"After demonetisation, the poor are enjoying a sound sleep while rich are running from pillar to post to buy sleeping pills," Modi said at BJP's Parivartan Yatra here, as he continued to rally public support for his move.
Scoffing at opposition for blaming him for the problems being faced by the poor, the Prime Minister said he was better aware of the hardships being faced by commoners.
Lashing out at opposition, he said, "Some political parties are worried after demonitisation...They used to get huge garlands of notes...Only option now is to put the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes in waste paper basket."
"Some people wear a smile on the face, they even say Modi ji you have done a good job. But they instigate their party workers to oppose my decision," he said, without taking any names.
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His apparent reference was to leaders of BSP, SP and AAP who have been critical of the move.
Referring to people dumping wads of old Rs 500 and Rs
1000 notes in rivers, the Prime Minister said, "You cannot wash your sins off just by putting currency notes in the river Ganges."
"My decision is a little harsh... When I was young poor people used to ask for 'kadak' (strong) tea as they like strong tea but it spoils the mood of the rich," he said amid applause from the gathering.
Modi said he was aware of the hardships being faced by people in the wake of his demonetisaion decision. However, he said had it not been for people's support, the corrupt and blackmarketeers would not have been so worried today.
He said there was no dearth of money for development, but the fact was that money was stashed away somewhere else and not where it should have been.
He said some political parties are facing a major problem due to demonetisation.
"There is no option left for the dishonest in the country now. I am only fulfilling the promise made at election time to fight corruption," he said.