Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes was not only aimed at wiping out black money and corruption but to also deal with the threat of terrorism.
"There is a big divide between the rich and poor. The rich are becoming richer and the poor are turning poorer," Chouhan said at a function in Jambori Maidan here.
"We (BJP) want to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and uplift people," he said.
"For this, Prime Minister has taken the decision of demonetisation on November 8. The move is aimed at wiping out corruption and black money, besides breaking the back of terrorism," the Chief Minister said.
Chouhan said, Prime Minister had first warned the big sharks to disclose their ill-gotten wealth and part with 45 per cent of it as tax to the government.
"Some people disclosed their wealth but many didn't. So the Prime Minister took the decision of scrapping Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination notes that put such people in a deep trouble as their hoarded currency became a scrap," Chouhan added.
"Are the poor not happy with Modi's move?" Chouhan asked the audience which responded by shouting 'yes'.
He said people who stocked black money are repenting.
The Chief Minister said Modi has sought 50 days to come out of the demonetisation aftermath. Now 25 days are left, he added.
"You all are facing a little bit of hardship. There is
a shortage of notes and currency, which are being printed and coming to the market," Chouhan said.
"You all are queueing up at the banks and ATMs and facing hardship for the sake of the country and nationalism. But you all are not angry and the entire nation has thrown its weight behind Modiji," said the Chief Minister.
He said unfortunately some people are with the ones with black money and yelling against Modi's demonetisation move.
He said those who who didn't give a penny as tax were putting notes as offering in the Narmada river.
"Country, led by Modi, is moving ahead with development activities as Prime Minister is a hard working leader," the Chief Minister said.
"He is not only the leader of India but is number one leader in the world," said Chouhan.
