 "From Left: Manoj Sinha, Narendra Modi, Keshav Prasad Maurya")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hit out at the opposition parties over demonetisation saying the decision was aimed at tackling the menace of black money and that he had the people's mandate for the tough job.
Seeking to strike an emotional chord with the common man currently facing problems in the wake of the abrupt withdrawal of high value Indian currency notes, Modi maintained the poor were firmly supporting the government decision even in such circumstances towards a decisive battle against corruption.
"While the poor of the country is having a sound sleep, the corrupt are forced to search for the sleeping pills," the PM said addressing a massive public rally in Ghazipur district as part of Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) ongoing 'Parivartan Yatra' in poll bound Uttar Pradesh, where elections are due in early 2017.
He said the people had given him the mandate to wage a battle against black money and corruption when he became the PM and now he was only fulfilling his mandate.
Modi further noted those political parties were worried over demonetisation, who preferred to be garlanded with currency notes.
Without suggesting names, he said some leaders shower praise on him for optics, but behind the scene instigate their party workers to vociferously oppose the demonetisation decision.
Modi reiterated his action had indeed brushed the powerful and cash rich people on the wrong side, yet he was ready to take up the fight in the larger interests of the poor. "I am well aware of the hardships coming my way due to my decision, but I have taken up the challenge."
Modi said the demonetisation decision was tough, but in a lighter vein retorted, when he was young, the poor always insisted on getting their tea served as a strong brew. This drew instant applause from the people.
Meanwhile, Modi also referred to former PM Jawaharlal Nehru saying he had deliberately chosen November 14 (Nehru's birth anniversary) to mark the completion of development projects in the region.
He said there was no dearth of funds for development, but the money had been stocked at wrong places.
