Demonetisation anniversary: This less-cash concept will change nation’s economy one day, says Naqvi

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi along with other BJP leaders at the BJP office Kamalam in Sector 33, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. (Express photo: Sahil Walia)

AT A time when the Congress was condemning the first anniversary of demonetisation as Black Day, the Chandigarh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party celebrated it as Anti-Black Money Day on Wednesday. Union Minister for Minority Affairs and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi addressed a press conference at the party office, Kamlam, here on Wednesday.

“The Congress conspired against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and other leaders by misusing investigating agencies. Today, the opposition says we are working to avenge them. If we had to avenge, many members of the Congress super family would not be roaming free,” said Naqvi.

Claiming that the Modi government believed in politics of reforms and not in politics of revenge, he said, “During the last three years of our government, we have worked with the rashtraneeti of reform, perform and transform. The NDA government has given full freedom to all the investigating agencies to perform their job without pressure or political interference.”

Naqvi added, “Congress cannot escape action against corruption by calling it vendetta politics. Their negative agenda cannot dominate our development agenda. Black Day observed by Congress and its allies is just spreading of misconceptions about demonetisation.”

Excerpts from an interview with Naqvi.

Last year during demonetisation, the government was talking about initiating plastic money and going cashless. What is the situation now?

A: In the span of one year, the habit of having less cash has increased. Even a vegetable vendor can be seen accepting card payments. This less-cash concept will change the nation’s economy one day.

What will be the impact of demonetisation on the upcoming polls in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh? People suffered a lot last year around this time.

A: If you remember, we did very well in the UP polls. It was held after demonetisation only. People understand that demonetisation was a decisive fight against corruption and black money. The people of the country supported our government in fighting against corruption even after facing some problems. This time, too, victory will be ours, be it Gujarat polls, Himachal polls or the upcoming Karnataka polls.

Even Manmohan Singh, who is such a great economist, has said that demonetisation was a wrong step. What’s your opinion?

A: Manmohan Singh is a very good, experienced and gentle leader. Congress is using him by putting words in his mouth. Whatever he says, he says under control of Congress. Unko majboor kiya ja raha hai (He is being forced to do so). They are insulting such a great leader.