Shiv Sena slams PM Modi over demonetisation of notes

Corruption is a mindset and until that changes, the disease of black money cannot be checked completely, says Shiv Sena

Shiva Sena on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, saying ever since the surgical strikes, ceasefire violations are on and time will tell whether the second one now on black money will be successful.

The BJP ally in the state government said one will have to adopt a wait and watch approach to see how far does Modi's "second strike" against black money goes to curb illicit trade of funds.

It said corruption is a mindset and until that changes, the disease of black money cannot be checked completely.

"Modi had last month conducted a sudden surgical strike against Pakistani terror launch pads and now this strike against black money. The second strike has caused chaos among the masses as this strike too was sudden," Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

It said that attempts to stop illicit trade flow have been made in the past as well, but what was derived from it was a question that remained answered in the past and there are no answers today as well.

Sena said questions are being raised about Modi's poll promise of bringing back black money stashed abroad and depositing Rs 15 lakh in bank accounts of Indians.

"How far has the government been successful in bringing back black money from abroad is what people are asking," it said.

"Modi answered the question in his style by demonetising Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. Only time will tell if the government is able to achieve its objectives by doing so. The truth is that this decision will have far-reaching effects on the Indian economy," it added.

"It was being said that the surgical strike against Pakistan was meant to tighten our grip over the neighbouring nation. But, firing, ceasefire violations are on at the borders ever since the strike. Demonetising currency was the second strike but if it actually pays dividends, only time will tell," the editorial said.