After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for demonetising Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes and insisted this won't check corruption or black money.
He challenged Modi to make public the names of the 648 Indians with Swiss bank accounts whose details he said were given to New Delhi during the earlier UPA regime.
The CM asserted that the problem of black money would get over if the Prime Minister orders the arrest of these 648 people by Thursday evening. "But you won't arrest them because they are your friends," he added in a video message.
BJP and its "friends" were informed about the demonetisation of high value currency "a week before" the move was effected, especially keeping the upcoming UP polls in mind, he said. Kejriwal questioned the logic behind the introduction of Rs2,000 notes saying it will fan corruption and the black money economy instead of containing it and that demonetisation has hit the commoners hard.
Interestingly, Kejriwal's Cabinet colleague Satyendar Jain supported the "historic" move to introduce Rs2,000 currency notes saying it will remove corruption and black money.
"To remove corruption & Black money, decision to introduce Rs2000 notes historic," Jain tweeted.
The AAP chief, in a video message, said a racket of commissions was thriving across the country. The fault lies in their (Government's) intentions, Kejriwal said.
"Common men are the only ones suffering. I spoke to many people, they told me that black money holders have done settings already. Money will be delivered to their homes in lieu of 15 to 20 per cent commission," Kejriwal said.
In a series of tweets, Kejriwal also took potshot at an advertisement of mobile payments firm 'Paytm' that featured the PM's image, saying the company was the biggest beneficiary of the move.
"There is evidence that their (BJP) friends and own people were informed a week before the decision was announced. They have made all arrangements like buying property or gold. BJP is going to fight polls in Uttar Pradesh and other States. It has made arrangements.
"Utterly shameful. Do people want their PM to model for pvt cosIJ Tomo, if these cos do wrongdoings, who will act against themIJ Paytm biggest beneficiary of PM's announcement. Next day PM appears in its ads. Whats the deal, Mr PMIJ" Kejriwal said in a series of tweets.
The CM pointed out that the spiking had led to "black marketing" of the 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, with the former getting exchanged for Rs400 and the latter for Rs800 in black market due to people's desperation.
"If the Prime Minister had totally abolished Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes, we would have supported the step."