Nitish reiterates support for note ban

New Delhi, December 3

Amid growing protest by Opposition parties against demonetisation, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today again voiced support to the Modi government’s decision, saying it is a positive step that will lead to benefits.

“This ‘notebandi’ is a positive step which will lead to benefits. It will happen,” he said addressing a JD(U) meeting, where differences in the party came to the fore as former party chief Sharad Yadav targeted the Modi dispensation over demonetisation.

Terming corruption and black money as a big sin and a “festering wound” that must be eradicated, Nitish said, “Severe steps will have to be taken. That is why we offered our support to this (demonetisation). It is a positive beginning.”

The JD(U) chief also refrained from any criticism on the implementation issue, which has been vociferously raised by the Opposition. He, however, added that demonetisation alone would not end black money.

He asked PM Narendra Modi to also launch a crackdown on benami properties immediately and target black money hoarded in assets like gold and diamonds. “Currency forms a significant part of black money, but total black money is much more than that. The country’s money has been laundered to overseas as well and that too should be brought back,” he said.

Nitish’s remarks in support of demonetisation, which has united most of the Opposition parties against it, came after Yadav hit out at Modi dispensation over the issue. Yadav alleged the decision was aimed at capitalising banks that were “sinking” due to Rs 8.5 lakh crore of NPAs and its goal was not to target black money.

The decision forced the entire nation to stand in queues, said Yadav, who played an active role in rallying Opposition’s protests before Kumar declared his support to demonetisation. He, however, also spoke in the same vein that his party supported the step but was critical of the ill-prepared manner in which it was executed. — PTI