PM Modi turns emotional, says 'left home and family for nation'

PM Modi was speaking for the first time on demonetisation after announcing the decision

Asserting that the nation has elected him to fight corruption and questioned if he should not do it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned emotional on Sunday and said that he left his home and family for the nation.

The Prime Minister, who was speaking for the first time on demonetisation after announcing the decision on November 8, also used the occasion to hit back at those questioning his bold and effective step to combat corruption and menace of black money.

"I also want to talk about something else in Goa...on 8th November many people of India slept peacefully and a few are sleepless even now. We took a key step to help the honest citizens of India to defeat the menace of black money" he said.

"This is an important step towards eradicating corruption and black money but some people are lost in their own world. If any money that was looted in India and has left Indian shores, it is our duty to find out about it," he added.

Silencing his critics, the Prime Minister said that his decision was not a display of arrogance but aimed at fulfilling the commitments made to the nation.

"I was not born for sit on a chair of high office. Whatever I had, my family, my home...I left it for the nation," Prime Minister Modi said.

"Yes I also feel the pain. These steps taken were not a display of arrogance. I have seen poverty and understand the problems of the people," he added.

Training his guns on the opposition, Prime Minister Modi said that he was extremely aware of the fact that they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble.

"Why do we have to put the future of our youth at stake? Those who want to do politics are free to do so," Prime Minister Modi said after laying the foundation for two major projects here.

"I know the forces up against me, they may not let me live, they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble but am prepared," he added.

Earlier on November 8, Prime Minister Modi took a major step and announced demonetisation of Rs 500 and 1,000 currency notes with effect from midnight, making these notes invalid in a major assault on black money, fake currency and corruption.

In his televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister said people holding notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 can deposit the same in their bank and post office accounts from November 10 till December 30.

With the people facing trouble after the Centre's move, the government later decided to extend the existing exemptions on paying public utility bills till November 14.

In a press release, the government reassured there is enough cash with the RBI and supply of cash to bank branches and ATMs are being stepped up gradually.