Demonetisation nothing but 'surgical anarchy': Mamata Banerjee

Coming down heavily on the Centre for scrapping Rs. 500 and 1,000 currency notes, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday asserted that this "dangerous, disastrous and draconian" decision of the ruling dispensation was nothing but "surgical anarchy."

Addressing a press conference, Mamata said, "Only one percent people hold black money. Why the other 99 percent are being harassed for this? A few money launderers are profiting due to this black decision. This is a dangerous, disastrous and draconian decision. This is surgical anarchy. Even eminent economists are saying this demonetisation will not affect black money."

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief also asserted demonetisation also took place in the UPA regime but it took place in a planned manner without causing any hindrance to people.

The West Bengal Chief Minister informed that she personally visited several banks today to listen to tales of hardship of common people.

"More than two lakh ATMs are closed, money is not available; people are facing lot of problems. A small child died in Mumbai because hospital did not take 500 rupee notes. Several weddings have been postponed," she said.

"This is a betrayal with people. A sudden midnight decision was taken. But few ruling party people knew about it. Few 'dalals' are taking advantage of the economic disaster. I appeal to the government to withdraw this decision," she added.

The TMC supremo also asked the BJP-led Centre as to how much money is being wasted for printing 2000 rupee notes and recalibrating ATMs.

"This is common man's money: The Centre cannot scare us. We are not afraid of them," she said.

She also appealed all the opposition parties to come together and stand against the Centre's move.

"We thank the parties who have opposed the note ban. There should be more protests. Will Emergency be imposed next?" she said.

The West Bengal Chief Minister also said that the "anti-people, anti-poor government" at the Centre has no moral right to continue in power.

"This is a dictatorship," she said.

"Ministers who have no connection to grassroots are giving us lectures. They said they will give 15 lakhs to people. But now they have even taken away people's piggy banks. I don't care if I am jailed for voicing my opinions. I will speak for common people. I supported them on the Goods and Services Tax (GST). But this is a disaster," she said.

The TMC chief also called for a judicial inquiry on the economic loss in the country due to note ban in the last few days.

On November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to nation announced that 500 and 1,000 rupee notes would no longer be legal tender.