Modi government has lost credibility, says Mamata

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of robbing the poor of their livelihood through demonetisation, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said the BJP-led central government has completely lost its credibility.

Addressing a protest rally at Jantar Mantar here, the West Bengal Chief Minister dubbed Modi a "Hitler" and said the country is not secure under his regime.

"With just one decision, you destroyed the entire country. Modiji, do you realise how people are starving? How people are forced to shut their shops? How farmers have been ruined? Do you realise how you have robbed their livelihood and driven the common people to the brink?" said Banerjee.

"The situation now is worse than even during the Emergency. This government has lost all its credibility, and once credibility is lost, everything is lost. The country is not secure under Modi. This government will have to go," she said addressing her second public meet in the national capital within a week.

Banerjee, who has been demanding a rollback of demonetisation and even sought President Pranab Mukherjee's intervention in the matter, questioned the motive behind the move.

"Promising fight against black money, Modiji you looted the money of the farmers, the labourers and the common man. But when will you loot the Swiss banks? Why haven't you brought even a single rupee of the black money stashed in foreign tax havens," asked Banerjee.

"What is the hidden agenda behind this Modiji? You may not answer, but the people will give you a befitting reply. Dare to hold an election now and nobody will vote for you. Even the BJP supporters will abandon you," said Banerjee adding that the people will vote out the BJP regime in the next polls.

Reiterating her demand for demonetisation rollback, she said: "If I were in your place, I would have admitted that it was mistake and taken back the decision. But you will never admit your mistake. Why this arrogance?" she said.

Accusing the government of establishing a "feudal system", Banerjee vowed to continue the struggle against the move and said her party will join other opposition parties in the movement against demonetisation.

The rally was attended by leaders of several opposition parties, including the Janata Dal (U), Samajwadi Party, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Speaking on the occasion, JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav flayed Modi for evading Parliament and demanded that the Prime Minister come to the House and account for the sufferings of the masses.

--IANS

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