BJP should declare polls as referendum on demonetisation: Cong

Image
Press Trust of India Chandigarh
Last Updated : Jan 31 2017 | 4:22 PM IST
Congress leader Sachin Pilot today dared BJP to declare Assembly polls in five states as a referendum on demonetisation if it was confident that the move has helped in checking terrorism, black money, naxalism and drugs menace.
Claiming that demonetisation brought instability in the country, he said "even leaders from BJP are openly admitting that demonetisation is a failed move".
Pilot, who is Rajasthan PCC chief, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should tell the public who is responsible for the deaths of 125 people, who lost their lives while standing in queue to withdraw money from banks.
"If BJP is so confident that demonetisation has helped in checking terrorism, black money, naxalism, drugs then it should declare it as a referendum in the poll bound five states," the former union minister said here.
Maintaining that Congress' campaign in poll-bound states is "cohesive and positive", he said the party rebels were not a serious threat as they have already been rejected by the people.
Demanding a white paper from ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP in Punjab on the issues of farmers suicides, drugs, industry and debt, he said "People of Punjab have rejected the SAD-BJP alliance and made up their mind to form a Congress government. Shiv Sena (in Maharashtra) has left BJP and after Punjab polls, Akalis will also dump the saffron party."
Hitting out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), he accused the AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal of not fulfilling the constitutional responsibility that the people of Delhi had given to him by a huge mandate.
He alleged that Delhi CM and his all MLAs are campaigning in Punjab and Goa, by ignoring the national capital and public money of Delhi is being "wasted" by AAP on its poll campaign in the two states.
Pilot also attacked AAP for "dumping" the party's founders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav.
Pilot also said that Kejriwal's alleged move of
approaching extermists in Punjab is determental for the border state.
"People are now aware that Kejriwal can go to any extent to get votes, but people will not be swayed by his hollow promises as he miserably failed to deliver in Delhi," he said.
On the issue of Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal, Pilot said that Modi lacked political will to resolve these through the process of dialouge among concerned states.
Hitting out at Parkash Singh Badal's ten year regime, he said this government was most "unpopular" and people's mood is against it.
Taking a swipe at AAP MP and party candidate from Jalalabad assembly seat, Bhagwant Mann, he said the behaviour of a person reflects about the party he belongs to in a public life.
"Can they (peoples like Mann) be role model for the country"? he asked.
On the upcoming budget tomorrow, he said that it is "unconstitutional" rather Centre should bring vote on account first.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 31 2017 | 4:22 PM IST

Next Story