Notes banned with polls in mind: Mulayam Singh Yadav

Ruling party in poll-bound UP, too was opposed to the use of black money in elections, says SP supremo

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Thursday said the "sudden ban" on high denomination notes showed the NDA government did not keep the plight of people in mind and took the decision with an eye on Assembly elections.

"The sudden ban on high denomination notes has caused immense hardships to commoners, farmers and the poor, the demonetisation has been done by the NDA government with an eye on elections, and not keeping plight of people in mind," he told a press conference here.

He said SP, the ruling party in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, too was opposed to the use of black money in elections.

"We are against black money. SP has fought against it. We do not want use of black money in elections," he said.

The SP patriarch demanded a roll back of demonetisation decision for a few days in view of the wedding season.

He suggested that people be given a week's time by the government, which had on Tuesday night announced withdrawal of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes from circulation in a bid to flush out black money and to check corruption.

"A week or 10 days' time should be given to people.

After that no time should be given and we will be with the government," Yadav said.

"The majority of black money is lying in the country in form of foreign currency or gold. Demonetisation has only added to the woes of common man. Instead of bringing back black money from foreign countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created anarchy in the country with this move," he alleged.

"Modi has ensured that just a few people hold the country to ransom. Congress had imposed Emergency and invoked MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act), BJP government has created a similar situation," he claimed.

Demanding that women be permitted to deposit Rs five lakh per month, Yadav said they (women) should be given assurance that no action would be taken against them for this.

He said, "After the Centre's move there is crisis in hospitals and people could not purchase items of daily needs and weddings have been affected or stopped."

"Due to closure of business, farmers will be left with no option but to commit suicide. Real estate business will be ruined. This move will increase unemployment.

"We will protest and create a public opinion. I think entire opposition will object to it (demonetisation) in one voice," Yadav said, with Winter Session of Parliament set to begin on November 16.