What purpose has demonetisation served: Uddhav Thackeray

Uddhav Thackeray said that Centre's demonetisation had been "defeated" as people were dying in bank queues

Mumbai, Dec 17: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said the basic purpose of the Centre's demonetisation had been "defeated" as people were dying in bank queues and terrorist attacks were still taking place.

"There are jawans who faced the enemy bullets and served the country....But after retirement they are unable to get their own money and it is extremely unfortunate that they are dying with their own bullets now," he said at a function here.

"While announcing demonetisation, they (BJP) said it will eliminate the chances of terrorist attacks. But has it happened? Our jawans are dying as before," he said. Lashing out at the Union government over the hardship caused to common man, Shiv Sena chief also questioned the objective behind the decision.

BJP MP Subramanian Swamy, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and other Sena MPs were present on this occasion. Without naming Modi, Uddhav said, "Even if your intention is good, why are you causing agony to people? The Sena chief also took a swipe at Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad over his reported remark that pain caused by demonetisation was like "labour pain" and people will reap joy after it is over.

"I want to ask Prasad whether he actually knows what labour pain is. Go and ask that pregnant lady who lost her life while standing in queue," Uddhav, whose party is an ally of BJP, said. Uddhav also challenged the Union ministers to announce their plans to construct the Ram Mandir (at Ayodhya). All Sena legislators and the entire Shiv Sena would stand "like a rock" behind the government in that case, he said.

Meanwhile, Subramnaian Swamy, earlier today termed late Sena founder Bal Thackeray as the true face of Hindutva, adding that Uddhav was carrying forward his father's legacy very well.

PTI