Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Nov 27: BJP national president Amit Shah on Sunday November 27 lashed out at the Opposition over the issue of demonetisation and said that it was not the poor but the opposition leaders like Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal who had lost sleep after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the sudden announcement earlier this month.

Addressing 'Ekta Rally' organized by the BJP for other backward classes (OBCs) at Palace Grounds here, Shah said, "Is there black money with the poor? The only people who have been affected by the move are those who have lost black money. Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal have lost sleep because of the demonetisation move."

"Till the November 7, the Opposition was constantly demanding action from the PM on the issue of black money. However, now they are protesting the government’s decision to ban 1,000 rupee and 500 rupee notes. PM Narendra Modi has taken this bold step on demonetization to put an end to black economy in the country and this move will help country’s poor," he said.

"Demonetisation is a giant flood that will rid the country of black money and corruption. During floods all animals climb trees and do not attack each other but keep an eye on the water level. Similarly, thanks to demonetization, Opposition has come together to watch the impact of this historic decision.

"The Opposition parties often behave like snake and mongoose but they have come together to protest the government's move on demonetization. It is strange that they have called for 'Aakrosh Divas' tomorrow (Monday November 28) to protest the government’s move against black money and black marketers.

"I compliment Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for welcoming PM Narendra Modi's initiative to eradicate black money in the economy," he added.

Moving on to other issues, he said, "The BJP government at the Centre has taken several steps and implemented many schemes for the benefit of the backward class but Congress ruled states including Karnataka have not taken these plans to their people.

"During the two-and-a-half years of BJP government at the centre, there is not even one allegation of corruption against us. There is transparency in the BJP government at the Centre. The BJP had assured before coming to power that it will wage war against corruption. PM Modi has taken several steps to fulfill that promise," he said.

Urging people to support BJP in the next Assembly elections, Shah said, "Karnataka has lagged behind considerably in the last five years. It is time to root out this corrupt government and bring BJP back to power under the leadership of Yeddyurappa. We will make Karnataka the number one state in India in five years."

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa, union ministers Ananth Kumar, D V Sadananda Gowda and Dharmendra Pradhan, Mangaluru MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, former chief minister Jagadish Shettar, former deputy CM K S Eshwarappa, former state BJP president Prahla Joshi and other BJP leaders were present.