BackDemonetisation updates: Here is what PM Narendra Modi has said so far
Rahul Gandhi has challenged PM Modi for a debate on demonetisation in Parliament. While Modi is yet to speak in Parliament, he said plenty on this topic in public
Premium
New Delhi: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has put the ball once again in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s court. The Congress scion has challenged the government to allow a debate in the Lok Sabha on the demonetisation drive, where Rahul will present detailed information about “personal corruption" by PM Modi. Gandhi also said that the entire opposition wants a debate in Parliament but the PM and his government is avoiding it.
“Pretty much unconditionally we are ready to have a discussion, but the government is not interested in having a discussion. I have already said it before, the Prime Minister is personally terrified of me being allowed to open my mouth inside the Lok Sabha," he said.
Rahul claimed Modi has taken a decision against the poor people of this country and has “destroyed" millions of lives and thus is answerable. He said he has personally taken this decision and he cannot keep running away from the House. Gandhi said the PM cannot keep “running away" to pop concerts to public meetings. This is a democracy, he owes this country an explanation and he owes the entire opposition a space in the discussion in the Lok Sabha, he said.
While Modi has not made any official statement in Parliament on the issue, he has spoken on demonetisation in his various speeches since 8 November. Here is what Modi has so far said on the issue:
16 December: “The people of the country should make digital economy a way of life. This will be empowering, it will give the poor people their rights and also help combat the evils of black money and corruption...Earlier governments used to engage in corruption like the Congress’s 2G and 3G scams and the opposition used to make an honest appeal against it. But now, it is the reverse. The ruling party is taking steps to combat corruption and the opposition is speaking against it," said Modi at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s parliamentary party meeting.
14 December: “Presently, cleaning the system from black money and corruption is very high on my agenda," he said while addressing via video conferencing the ‘Economic Times Asian Business Leaders Conclave 2016’ in Kuala Lumpur along with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak.
11 December: “Parliament has not been allowed to function for 20 days. We are ready for a debate (on demonetisation) but we are not being allowed to present our view point by those very parties that have been discarded by the electorate," the PM said at BJP’s ‘Parivartan Yatra’ through mobile phone from Lucknow after the IAF chopper carrying him failed to land in Bahraich due to poor visibility.
10 December: “I have decided to speak my words in jan sabha since I am not being allowed to speak in Lok Sabha. This government has taken the tough decision of demonetization to empower common people not for the wealthy people...Don’t waste your time standing outside bank branch or ATM. Use E-wallet and E-banking on mobile, which is your bank now," Modi said addressing a farmers rally in Gujarat.
27 November: “After accumulating black money, they are now using the poor to bring their black money back in the system. I appeal to them that please don’t use the poor and don’t make them put your black money in their bank accounts. The government is implementing the benami property Act and it will create more trouble for people holding such property," said Modi speaking on his radio show Man ki Baat linking demonetisation to corruption of the privileged and warned those using the poor to launder their illegal wealth.
Later at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh, Modi targeted the opposition afresh. Referring to their proposed protest on Monday, he said, “We want to shut down corruption and they (opposition) want to shut down the country."
25 November: “I want to protect the rights of poor and middle class. People are forced to pay bribe in schools, hospitals and when they want to buy land. I am thankful for the support of people in the fight against black money and corruption," the Prime Minister said at a rally in Bhatinda.
22 November: “Demonetisation is not the end but beginning of our deep and continuous struggle against black money and corruption," Modi said while addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary party meeting on 22 November. He also asked MPs to reach out to the people to counter the Opposition misinformation on demonetisation.
Later, at a book release function in memory of late BJP leader Kedarnath Sahni, Modi said, “Some people are criticising saying the government did not make ample preparation. I think that is not the issue that the government did not make ample preparation. I think the pain of such people is that the government did not give a chance to make any preparation."
13 November: “I was given a mandate to fight against black money and corruption in 2014 and I am doing that. I was not born to hold chair. My countrymen, I left my family, home and everything else to serve the nation," Modi said in Goa after laying the foundation stone of a new international airport at Mopa.
8 November: “To break the grip of corruption and black money, we have decided that the five hundred rupee and thousand rupee currency notes presently in use will no longer be legal tender from midnight tonight, that is 8th November 2016. This means that these notes will not be acceptable for transactions from midnight onwards. The five hundred and thousand rupee notes hoarded by anti-national and anti-social elements will become just worthless pieces of paper. The rights and the interests of honest, hard-working people will be fully protected."
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
