Reveal basis of DeMo claim, Cong asks PM

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 16

The Congress today asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi the basis of his statement that currency worth Rs 3 lakh crore had come into the banking system after demonetisation.

Questioning PM’s remarks in the Independence Day speech, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said a question about demonetised currency was asked in the just concluded Monsoon Session of Parliament, but the answer given was – the RBI is still counting the currency.

“If the RBI is still counting, how has the PM given these figures and another data set that says Rs 1.75 lakh crore worth of black money has come into the system? This is a huge question and we want to know whether the PM is befooling the nation. The RBI says it has not counted the money. The PM quotes the amount. Two contrary stands are being taken. Who is speaking the truth?” Azad said.

Cornering the PM on another point about women empowerment, the Congress said women were unsafe in BJP-ruled states and the hype around women empowerment was a sham. “In Haryana, the son of BJP president has been caught eve-teasing and chasing a woman. And the PM is talking of empowerment?” he said.