Big boss of Big Bazaar has become our PM: Mamata at Patna demonetisation rally

Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?

Launching a stinging attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that the 'big boss of big bazaar has become our Prime Minister.'

"How many areas have Big Bazaar? How will areas without Big Bazaar outlets get cash? The big boss of big bazaar has become our prime minister. They have shut down cooperative banks and have turned Big Bazaar into Big Banks," she said addressing a rally here.

Mamata has been running pillar to post to various states in an attempt to take her protest against government's demonetisation policy to the public.

"He is accusing 86 percent people in India of possessing black money," she said.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief was referring to the fact that the numbers of people using Paytm, a mobile wallet, has risen sharply following the currency ban of November 8 when the government scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The West Bengal Chief Minister alleged that demonetisation has given undue benefits to Paytm.

"Children these days say the other word for Paytm is 'PayPM', he talks about 'achey din' but brought 'burey' din. He is accusing 86 percent people in India of possessing black money, also trying to take away the hard-earned savings of the poor people. We will continue our protests for the rights of the people in future" Mamata added.

Mamata sited that from Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen to World Bank economist to former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh have criticised the demonetisation move.

She said the post-demonetisation situation. where cash is in short supply- is worse than the emergency.

"This is financial emergency... this is an insult to women's strength and their wealth," the Trinamool chief said.

She was sitting on dharana in protest against demonetization at Patna this afternoon. State RJD President Ramchandra Purve accompanied her during the dharana.