Victory in local body elections a wake-up call for those opposing demonetisation: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said that the verdict of the local polls in Maharashtra is a clear indication of the fact that the nation would not tolerate those opposing the government's demonetisation drive.

BJP leader S. Prakash highlighted the government's commitment towards eradicating the black money menace.

"One last opportunity has been given to all defaulters... The government's commitment towards eradicating black money is very strong and they are taking every step to get rid of the black money menace," Prakash told ANI.

The BJP has followed up its success in the Maharashtra civic elections with a sweep of by-elections to local bodies in Gujarat.

In Maharashtra, the BJP made big gains in the first phase of key civic elections winning 851 of 3,705 seats across 147 municipal councils and 17 panchayats.

In tune with the same, the BJP today won 109 of 126 municipal and district panchayat seats in 16 districts of Gujarat to which by-elections were held.

Meanwhile, Prakash also lashed out at the Congress and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for their outburst against the Centre post demonetisation.

"The Congress is hell-bent upon derailing economic reforms in India, they want status quo, they do not want to change anything, they are not fighting for the poor and middle class. They are fighting for the capitalists and they are fighting to save their black money," Prakash said.

"They should take a lesion from this. The people are with the scheme, but the opposition is against the scheme and this is not good for these parties," he added.

Continuing his tirade against the TMC supremo, Prakash said that she is not authorized to appoint the Prime Minister but the decision rests with the people of India.

"Mamata runs only 100 to 200 constituencies in West Bengal. She does not rule this country, she does not command any support in pan India. Even during the parliament elections, many had claimed if Narendra Modi wins I will go out of India, I will quit politics but so for none of them kept of their promise," he added in a sarcastic tone.