A confrontation over the demonetisation move is set to escalate with Congress today accusing the government of unleashing "economic anarchy" and "tax terrorism" in the country and virtually appealing to all opposition parties to put up a united fight on the issue.
"Whatever may be the differences, all political parties should not shy away from voicing the concerns of the people so as to address the grievances," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala told reporters, charging "autocratic" Prime Minister Narendra Modi with unleashing "economic anarchy".
The remarks came close on the heels of a meeting Congress and seven other opposition parties had to formulate a joint strategy to corner the government on various issues including demonetisation that has caused inconvenience to the people ahead of Winter Session of Parliament beginning November 16.
"This isn't an issue of a single political party but where the entire country has been plunged into economic anarchy by the dictatorial and autocratic PM and his government and it is our duty to raise and champion the voice of the people in the most befitting fashion," Surjewala said.
He said that this should be done to draw the attention of the government which in its "arrogance of power and numbers" is not paying heed to reason and cry of the people.
Congress also sought to take the battle on the issue to the BJP camp by daring the Prime Minister to release the bank details of the party at the national and state levels for the people to know about transactions.
This, Surjewala said, was necessary as West Bengal BJP had deposited Rs one crore in the form of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes on November eight shortly before the demonetisation decision was announced.
Claiming that "some select people" had prior knowledge of
the demonetisation decision, Surjewala said that this is indicative from the fact that in September this year banks deposits went up by Rs 5,88,600 crore as compared to August.
He also found fault with the government raising by 130 per cent the limit of the amount that could be sent abroad by an Indian national in the last two years.
Accusing the Prime Minister of facilitating sending Indian money abroad, he wanted to know whom he was helping by the move which resulted in Rs 30,000 crore going to foreign countries as against Rs 10,400 crore earlier.
He charged the government with unleashing "tax terrorism" which, he said, has "seriously" affected markets across the country with small traders severely hit.
Targeting the Prime Minister for seeking 50 days to deal with the "crisis", he sought to know as to who created it and why there was no adequate preparation.
(REOPENS DEL72)
Raising a number of questions on the demonetisation move, Surjewala said it has landed people in "humongous" problems and accused the Modi government of branding the entire country as "criminals".
Releasing a list of 23 people who have lost their lives over the past 72 hours, he asked whether the Prime Minister would go to each house and apologise to the families which have lost their family members on account of "economic anarchy".
"What is the reason that none of the industrialist friends, top bureaucrats, Cabinet Ministers, BJP Chief Ministers or BJP leaders is standing in any line in front of any bank or ATM, while the entire nation spends entire day attempting to exchange Rs 4,000?" he asked.
He alleged the actual black money lies with a "handful of industrialist friends" of the Prime Minister.
