Rahul seeks answers from PM, demands balm for note-ban hit

Pressing on with his anti-demonetisation campaign, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi explain who advised him on the policy, provide compensation to farmers, MNREGA workers, small businessmen and traders , and immediately remove restrictions on cash withdrawals.

Rahul also demanded a white paper on demonetisation.

Addressing a press conference, the Congress leader began by asking questions, and concluded with a set of demands as the country “nears the end of 50 days sought by the PM, during which everything was supposed to have become normal”.

“Now that this period is about to end, tell us how much black money has been collected? The people also want to know the extent of the economic loss suffered by the country and the number of jobs that have been lost due to this measure. How many people have lost their lives and whether the government has given them any compensation. If not, then why not? We would also like to ask the PM who advised him on demonetisation, who are the experts he consulted? We would like to know their names,” the Congress Vice-President asked.

“Give us a list of people who deposited over ₹25 lakh in the banks before November 8. In this yagya that the PM has performed for the 50 super rich in India, the interests of farmers, the youth, small shopkeepers and the poor have been sacrificed. The Congress demands that these sections be compensated. Waive the farmers’ loans and give them 20 per cent bonus on MSP; deposit ₹25,000 in the account of every female listed under the BPL; increase the number of days and double wages in MNREGA and lastly; compensate the shopkeepers and small businessmen by giving them 50 per cent relaxation in sales tax and Income Tax. Release a white paper,” said the Congress Vice President.

Earlier, Rahul addressed senior party members on the 132nd Foundation Day of the ‘Grand Old Party’. “The Congress’s very essence is to be a partner in every Indian’s pain, tragedy, happiness and destiny. The Congress made us understand freedom, swaraj and to face our own fears. Today, Modi ji is smashing the very fabric of India…His policies are creating an atmosphere of fear. Demonetisation is an example that is wrecking people’s lives and creating a fear psychosis. Modi ji is trying to convert this fear and pain into hatred.”

Hitting back at Rahul, the BJP said he should first name the beneficiaries of several scams that happened during the UPA government, asserting that he had done nothing against blackmoney and corruption.

“Rahul Gandhi has been asking a lot of questions and levelling baseless allegations repeatedly under this impressions his lies will be taken as truth if spoken daily and loudly. He should also answer who in the UPA government were beneficiaries of 2G, CWG and VVIP chopper scams running into ₹1.86 lakh crore, ₹72,000 crore and ₹3,200 crore respectively,” BJP National Secretary Sharma told reporters here.

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