Demonetization an attack on those backing corrupt, assisting terrorists, drug trade, says BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday questioned the ulterior motives of the opposition post Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's assertion as to how will replacing Rs 1,000 notes with Rs 2,000 notes curb black money, saying this move has brought miseries on the faces of those contesting the polls on black money and backing the corrupt.

"The decision taken by the government to scarp Rs. 500 and 1,000 notes is a surgical strike on those providing financial assistance to terrorism. It is an attack on those spreading drugs and misguiding the nation's youth. It is an attack on the corrupt," BJP spokesperson Shrikant Sharma told ANI.

Alleging that the Congress Party has always sided with the corrupt, he lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apt decision.

Launching a blistering attack on the government, Gandhi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had shown how little he cared about the ordinary people of this country.

Gandhi said that this decision has thrown farmers, small shopkeepers and housewives into "utter chaos. The real culprits sit tight on their black money stashed abroad or in bullion and real estate."

"How is replacing Rs 1000 notes with Rs 2000 notes going to make black money hoarding a lot harder?" he added.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said the government's decision will move the country towards a cashless economy.

Reassuring the people that those having lawful money would have nothing to fear, Jaitley said this is a major setback to the parallel black money economy because a lot of currency operating outside the system will now have to be brought into the banking system.

"The government believes that this decision has been welcomed everywhere. This major step with help India's credibility," he told media in New Delhi.

The Finance Minister further said this decision will change the way people spend and keep their money.

He also said the decision is of significant advantage to the economy, adding both the Centre and states will benefit from with more revenue accruing in the economic system.