Ahead of civic body polls scheduled to take place in Chandigarh on December 18, the BJP and Congress leaders continued to engage in a war of words over demonetisation issue.
While Satpal Maharaj, MP from Uttarakhand and former Union Minister, who was in the city to campaign for BJP candidates on Wednesday, hailed the demonetisation move, Congress ex-city MP and former Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal lambasted the BJP for changing their stand on demonetisation.
Bansal while addressing a public meeting here said that at the beginning of the MC elections campaign, senior BJP leaders had asserted that MC elections would serve as referendum on demonetisation but on sensing public anger against being subjected to unending misery and harassment during the last over five weeks, they have now changed the narrative and have started resorting to mud-slinging and arguments on nonexistent development works in Chandigarh claimed to have been completed by BJP.
He also alleged that demonetisation has brought to the fore arrogance of BJP leaders, government's callous attitude towards people's hardships and utter lack of imagination and preparation to effect and implement the decision.
Bansal added that Rs 2000 currency note will facilitate hoarding and black marketing.
On the other hand, Satpal Maharaj, who is also the national executive member of BJP said that demonetization is causing pain to people but it was only for some time and for the betterment of the country.
“This demonetisation move of the Prime Minister will strengthen the Indian economy”, he added.
While commenting on the local issues, Satpal Maharaj said it was during the tenure of BJP that the city mayor Arun Sood and MP Kirron Kher has managed to bring in a lot of development in the city.
He added that Chandigarh had got the distinction of becoming the smart city and had also been awarded for sanitation.
Criticizing the BJP for dismal performance, Congress’ senior leader Pawan Kumar Bansal alleged that the performance of BJP government at the Centre and in the Municipal Corporation during the last one year has been disappointing on all fronts.
Bansal also alleged that Chandigarh's annual plan allocations have suffered major cuts, Panjab University is being starved of funds, PGIMER has not received grant for any new advanced specialty centre.