Calling Opposition leaders as a “rejected” lot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the people who were “discarded” by people have held Parliament to “ransom” and have not allowed discussion on demonetisation because they do not want people should know the truth about it.
“Parliament is not being allowed to function for 20 days. We are ready for debate (on demonetisation), but we are not being allowed to present our viewpoint by those very parties that have been discarded by the electorate. They (Opposition) come to the Well of the House... Throw paper at the Speaker. We want to put forth Government’s viewpoint... But they are not allowing us to do so. In a way they are trying to suppress the truth,” Modi rued even as the Winter Session is left with three more working days.
He was addressing BJP’s Parivartan Yatra in Bahraich through mobile phone from lucknow after the IAF chopper carrying him failed to land due of poor visibility in Bahraich, which is close to Terai region of Nepal. His chopper hovered over the helipad for nearly 30 minutes. As the Air Traffic Control did not permit it to land, it was decided that he would fly back to lucknow enroute to Delhi.
“Pranam to you all who have come here braving the chilly weather but unfortunately my chopper could not land there and I could not meet you all,” he said.
In his short but crisp speech, Modi talked about his Government’s effort to cleanse the system of black money and corruption. “You must have seen that the Government is chasing the people who have stashed black money. I will not spare anyone,” said the PM, adding, “I want discussion on demonetisation in Parliament but the Opposition was running away. But I assure you that country will win in the fight against corruption.”
The PM said senior bank officials have been nabbed during the crackdown against black money and added his Government is “of the poor and for the poor and whosoever troubles the poor will not be spared.” “You must have seen as how almost everyday crore of rupees in old and new currencies are been seized. This is the right time to mend yourself as law will not spare you,” said Modi, issuing warning to the bank managers who are hand in glove in making black into white business.
Modi also spoke about prevailing law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. He said he was committed to end goonda raj in Uttar Pradesh. “For Uttar Pradesh to progress, poverty and “goonda raj” should be removed. “The Congress, SP and BSP are speaking in same voice against demonetisation but we are fighting against corruption,” he said.
The PM asked people to use their mobile phones as banks to meet their cash requirements to end corruption. “look I am using my mobile phone to talk to you similarly you can use your mobile as bank,” he said.
During the “mobile speech” of the PM, all the BJP leaders on the dais kept standing.
This was BJP’s fifth Parivartan Yatra rally to be addressed by the Prime Minister in the State. He had earlier addressed rallies at Ghazipur, Agra, Kushinagar and Moradabad. His next rally is scheduled to be held in Kanpur on December 19.