Parrikar links Mamata outburst against army to Saradha scam

Mayawati, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee have been rattled by the sudden demonetisation decision, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday, adding that it had made "thousands of crores of rupees" from a chit fund scam, useless overnight.

"The demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes may have upset Mayawati, Mamata and Mulayam, but it has not upset the Bharatiya Janata Party. Those who have looted thousands of crore through chit funds will be upset anyway," he said, obviously hinting at the Saradha chit fund scam which rocked West Bengal which was exposed in 2013.

"They did not keep it in 100 rupee notes, but in 1,000 rupees notes. Suddenly, the loss of losing thousands of crores of rupees in one night was such, that a Chief Minister started accusing the army of taking over a state," he said at a poll rally in Siolim assembly constituency.

He also said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's charge against the army robbed him of his night's sleep.

"You must have seen it day before yesterday. It disturbed my sleep at night. I checked, but the army said that we have informed them (state government). We gave them letters, discussed with them. They even gave us the locations. Then I slept," he said.

--IANS

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