Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday continued with his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, accusing him of practising politics of “fear and anger” and exhorted partymen to defeat his ideology. The Congress sought a White Paper on demonetisation and posed several questions to the Prime Minister including how much black money has come in.
Rahul put forth a charter of demands including lifting all restrictions on cash withdrawals and compensation to farmers, traders and the poor who have “suffered” due to note ban.
Accusing Modi of hurting financial independence of people of this country, he asked on what basis limits of Rs24,000 were imposed on withdrawal. As part of the demands, Rahul said all restrictions on withdrawal of money be lifted with immediate effect and till the time these restrictions are in place, a special interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum be given to all.
“On November 8, Modiji said he is performing a ‘yagya’ against corruption and black money. In every yagya someone’s sacrifice is done and every yagya is done to benefit someone. The demonetisation ‘yagya’ is for 50 families of the country’s one per cent super rich. It is the poor, farmers, labourers, middle class and small shopkeepers who are being sacrificed in this ‘yagya’. There has been tremendous pain caused by it,” Rahul said presiding over the Congress’ 132nd Foundation Day celebrations.
Filling in for his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who is not keeping well, Rahul for the first time unfurled the Tricolour at the party headquarters to mark the Congress Foundation Day.
In another first, he later addressed a gathering of top party leaders including all members of the Congress Working Committee, indicating his slow but consistent march towards elevation as Congress chief. Rahul used the occasion to trace the party’s history of sacrifices and struggles to say Congress was synonymous with acceptance of the other.
“Congress means understanding the other. Congress means I am not alone and that there is another perspective apart from mine. Congress is the idea that it is not only my view that will prevail. I must seek your view. Congress means reaching out to you, Congress means listening to you. Congress means understanding the other,” he told the gathering.
Seeking to project the BJP as a divisive force as against an inclusive Congress, Rahul said, “Modi Government is today tearing apart the fabric of our country. Modiji’s policies are creating a tremendous fear psychosis among people. Modiji is trying to convert this fear and pain into hatred. Demonetisation is an example of this.”
“The aim is to run a Government of a select few, take away the money from the poor and give it to a select few. Spread fear and anger and rule on that basis. We have shown that questions have been raised on Modiji and there are charges on him. He should answer these questions,” he said.
He also demanded that Modi should double the MNREGA wages and the number of days each labourer can work, besides giving 50 per cent rebate in Income Tax and Sales Tax to shopkeepers and 20 per cent bonus on MSP for Rabi crops to farmers and waiving their loans.
Coming out with the “Charter of Demands” before the media, he sought a list of all those who have deposited above Rs25 lakh before demonetisation was announced and sought relief to those badly affected including provision of Rs25,000 to at least one woman of each BPl family.
He also sought that all charges on digital transactions should be abolished forthwith, adding that the charter of demands was “on behalf of the people of India”.