Ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today refrained from either celebrating the first anniversary of the demonetisation exercise nor hit the streets to protest as was done by opposition Congress supporters.
"As part of our policy of maintaining equal distance from both the BJP and the Congress, the BJD refrained from any activity on the first anniversary of demonetisation," BJD MP Balabhadra Majhi said.
Though the BJD had supported demonetisation, the Centre failed to implement the scheme properly leading to miseries of the people, he said.
However, the Congress, the CPI(M), the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Admi Party observed 'Black Day' separately today as a mark of protest against the demonetisation exercise.
Various civil society outfits also demonstrated on the occasion.
"Demonetisation has helped some of Narendra Modi's friends, not the people at large," state Congress president Prasad Harichandan alleged.
"The Modi government had said that post-demonetisation, corruption will end, terrorism will vanish and Naxalism will die out. Did anything happen?" Congress' Odisha in-charge BK Hariprasad said.
AAP Odisha convenor Nishikanta Mohapatra said, "The farmers are committing suicides, the youth have no employment. The PM does 'Mann ki Baat' not 'aam aadmi ki baat'. The demonetisation move was a big failure."
The BJP on the other hand celebrated the day by holding meetings to create awareness on benefits of demonetisation.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
