Agra, Nov 20 (Agencies) : In a veiled attack on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that she gave patronage to chit fund scams that hurt the poor the most.

Speaking on the occasion of the launch of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Agra, Modi said, "Chit fund scams prospered under some politicians and they are questioning me today over demonetisation."

"Doesn't the nation know that who was behind chit fund scams. Hundreds of thousands of poor people had invested their money," Modi said.

"People had invested money in chit fund. Many people lost their lives because of chit fund scams and today those people (who patronised chit fund) are pointing fingers at me," the PM said in an apparent attack on Mamata Banerjee.

PM Modi, who launched the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, also expressed his condolences on the deaths of 103 people in Indore_Patna Express derailment. He further said that the Centre would probe the incident.
"Many people lost their lives, got injured in train derailment near Kanpur this morning. Rescue operation are still continuing," said PM Modi.

Here's what he said at the public rally:

I told you that I only need 50 days and after that the situation will come under control: PM Modi

I know the kind of people who are opposing me: PM Modi

lot of people invested in chit funds and to some of the it even cost their lives. Today these are the same people who are pointing fingers at me: PM Modi

The ban on Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes have caused inconvenience for many, but for some it was a devastating move: PM Modi

I can assure that your sacrifice will not go in vain: PM Modi on demonetisation

I had said that inconvenience is going to happen, but I want to commend the people who,despite all that, are supporting: PM Modi

The initiative of demonetisation was highly appreciated by poor people, despite facing difficulties they supported us: PM Modi

The poor will have LPG connection and stoves soon under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

We want every Indian to have a house by 2022: PM Narendra Modi

This government is dedicated to the poor, Pradhan Mantri Jan dhan Yojana was started so that the poor can have a bank account: PM Modi

Mamata Banerjee flays PM Modi over chit fund 'scam' charge

KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was attacking any one who opposes his policy, retorting to his charge that political leaders behind multi-crore chit fund scams are attacking him over demonetisation.

"Pradhan Mantriji, you are equating corruption with anyone who opposes your policy. Are you the only magician?(sic)" Banerjee said in a tweet this evening, reacting to Modi's remarks seen as sharp attack on the Trinamool Congres chief.

"Listen to the voice of the people. Feel their pain. People will not forgive you for this. They are suffering," she said in another tweet.

Earlier in the day, Modi said political leaders behind multi-crore chit fund scams are attacking him as they have been hit hard by demonetisation.

"I know what sort of people are raising their voice against me. Does the country not know whose money was invested in chit fund business? Lakhs and crores of poor people invested money in chit funds. But with the blessings of politicians, crores and crores of rupees have vanished," the Prime Minister told a 'Parivartan' rally at Agra.

"Due to chit fund loss, hundreds of heads of families were forced to commit suicide. Look at history and they are questioning me," he said in barbs aimed apparently at Banerjee, who had been rallying political leaders against the demonetisation decision.

However, the Prime Minister did not name any leader.

Some Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders have been arraigned before courts in cases relating to chit fund scams in West Bengal.