Terming the prevailing chaos following demonetisation a result of half-baked preparation, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the BJP-led NDA government could be termed as a government ‘that acts sans preparation’.
“God forbid, if a war breaks out with our neighbour, this government would push the whole country in jeopardy … the way it acts proves that it can take any decision without doing homework. This can spell danger for the country,” Yadav said while addressing reporters in lucknow on Friday.
Yadav said: “I am not saying it … it is the talk of the town as how this government has put the lives of farmers, labourers and daily wage earners at peril. People are now saying that government has not done its homework on demonetisation and took the decision in a jiffy.”
Claiming that it will require around a year to normalise the financial situation as banks did not have the cash, the CM said daily wagers and the rural poor have been the worst sufferers. Several of them are starving. This is a sad commentary on the Modi government’s insensitivity,” Yadav said.
The CM charged that most small traders have gone bankrupt and their business has come to a grinding halt. “The daily wage workers are not getting work and they are finding it difficult to feed their family,”he said.
“Spare a thought to those farmers who had a good crop after several natural calamities. They had planned to utilize the money in sowing the Rabi crops. But now they are stranded in queues to get their `own’ money. They have become victims of the government-made crisis. Who will compensate them,” Yadav asked.
“The Union Government can still salvage the situation. It should roll back the ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes and should also allow co-operative banks to work efficiently,” he said.
Yadav claimed that the PM and senior Union ministers claim that the decision was taken to end corruption but reports of hoarding of new notes have started trickling in.
“Several banks are cash strapped while there is no figures on the money transition being done in the country from November 10. Once this figure is out, only then will the real picture of financial anarchy surface,” he said.
When asked about the family feud, Yadav said that all family members stood united and they will ride bicycle which will take this state forward.
To another query on the possibility of expelled leaders being taken back in the SP after the revoking of Prof Ram Gopal Yadav’s expulsion, Akhilesh said he would raise the issue at the party platform.
On arch rival Mayawati, the CM said, “Bua knows Samajwadi Party will form the next government in UP and that is her biggest problem. She is frustrated and therefore is issuing unnecessary statements. You should ask the ‘pathar wali sarkar’ what all she has done for the state.”
Attacking BJP president Amit Shah, the CM said that BJP leaders are unable to claim what they have done in the last two years and a half for a state which sent 72 of its MPs.
“The BJP leaders during the Yatras are enjoying the facilities and infrastructure developed by the SP government. Their rallies are not getting enough attendance or public support. That is why they are now trying to confuse the masses through their anti- people agenda,” the CM said.