Ramdas Athawale backs demonetisation, criticises opposition

As the opposition parties have taken an aggressive stand against demonetisation in the Parliament, NDA ally Republican Party of India (Athawale faction) today came out in support of the decision.
RPI chief and Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale said the decision to demonetise high-value currency was "historic" and in the interest of the country.
He criticised the opposition for disruptions in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and alleged that it (stalling of Parliament) was a waste of money.
In a statement issued here, Athawale said the black money problem would be solved to some extent mainly because of the decision of demonetisation. The same decision was also going to hit the counterfeit currency rackets.

The decision should be welcomed as it was going to benefit the common man, the Dalit leader said.
The decision was not against a particular party, Athawale said.
"There has been some inconvenience to common man but the Union Government has taken some decisions such as relaxation at hospitals, schools and petrol pumps. The banks are also catering to people in various ways. There are no long queues anymore, hence people should not spread rumours which would create panic," he stated.
Opposition in the Parliament should discuss the issues rather than halting its functioning, he said.