The demonetisation of high denomination notes has not benefited the common man in any way, leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said in Pune on Wednesday, the first anniversary of the note ban.
The NCP, led by its top leaders Ajit Pawar and MP Supriya Sule, staged a rally in Pune against demonetisation. Party workers wearing black armbands and carrying placards marched through the city.
The Central government “behaved like a dictatorship” in rolling out the note ban, said Mr. Pawar.
“This move has not benefited the common man in any way. When it was launched, there was enthusiastic support from the public … A year later, people are thoroughly disillusioned and are vehemently opposing the Modi government. Where is the black money the government promised to bring back?” he said. Mr. Pawar said he agreed with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent remarks terming demonetisation a “monumental disaster”.
Ms. Sule said, “The PM and the BJP claim that demonetisation has boosted digitalisation … the ruling party leaders ought to speak to the common man who is suffering as a result of their reckless policy.”