Bold decisions can also be foolish, says Rahul Gandhi

Opposition leaders today observed a 'Black Day' in the Parliament premises to mark one month of the announcement of demonetisation of ₹500 and ₹1,000 currency notes, with Rahul Gandhi launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his "foolish decision" has "devastated" the country.

Leading the protest, the Congress Vice-President accused Modi of shying away from having a discussion on the issue in Parliament, but stressed that opposition parties will "not let him run away" from both Houses, where "everything will become clear" once the Prime Minister takes part in debate.

Speaking to reporters in the Parliament premises, he said the Prime Minister is "having a nice time" and has over the past one month "changed his narrative" on the issue while people are reeling under hardships.

Besides Congress, leaders of all opposition parties including TMC, CPI(M), CPI, JD(U), Samajwadi Party joined the protest wearing black bands on their arms.

"The Prime Minister took this so-called bold decision. The bold decision can also be a foolish decision. And this was a foolish decision, it has devastated the country. More than 100 people have died. Farmers, fishermen, daily wage earners have been hit hard. He (the Prime Minister) is laughing. He is having a nice time, while the people of the country are suffering," Gandhi said. "So, he is switching from one issue to another. And we are going to catch him inside the House. He is not going to be able to run inside the House," added the Congress VP.

“Pay to Modi, that's the idea behind cashless economy”

Referring to the Prime Minister's cashless economy talk, Gandhi said, "There is this concept of PayTM. Pay to Modi, that's the idea behind cashless economy. That few people should get maximum benefit from cash transactions."

Gandhi once again demanded a debate in Lok Sabha on demonetisation under a rule which entails voting and claimed some BJP MPs too will support the opposition's demand.

"We know people in BJP will vote in our favour if such debate is allowed. If he (Modi) speaks inside...doodh ka doodh aur pani ka pani ho jayega (everything will become clear)," he said.

On his "Pay to Modi" jibe, Gandhi said he will explain on his allegation inside Lok Sabha if allowed to speak.

BJP dares Rahul Gandhi to speak in the House

Accusing Rahul Gandhi of levelling baseless allegations against the government to grab headlines, BJP today dared him to speak on demonetisation in Parliament.

Attacking the Congress Vice President, the ruling party said on the one hand he claims to speak about the interests of the common man but on the other hand Congress was stalling Parliament for three weeks and wasting public money spent on running it.

Congress ran way from discussion in Parliament when it was in power and it is doing the same now when it is in the opposition, BJP National Secretary Shrikant Sharma alleged.

"His (Rahul's) charges against the Modi government are borne out of his incompetence and arrogance. He is competing with Arvind Kejriwal in TRP politics by levelling baseless charges on almost daily basis. He is doing so merely for headlines. He should instead speak in Parliament, not outside," Sharma said.

Earlier also, the Congress leader had targeted Modi over demonetisation, accusing him of practising TRP politics and said the country has suffered damage due to his "vanity and incompetence".