Etah: BJP President Amit Shah today targeted Rahul Gandhi, saying instead of embarking on roadshows against demonetisation, he should take out “yatras against unemployment, poverty and starvation”.
Addressing BJP’s ‘Parivartan Rally’ here, he also hit out at other opposition parties, including SP, BSP and Trinamool Congress, for “ganging up” against demonetisation and disrupting parliamentary proceedings leading to a virtual washout of the winter session.
“Rahul Baba is undertaking padyatras daily. It will be better if Rahul takes out yatras against unemployment, poverty and starvation,” Shah said while targeting the Congress leader who has been aggressively campaigning against demonetisation.
“He (Rahul) asks what change has come after BJP came to power… He will not be able to see as he has ‘Italian chashma’ (Italian glasses) on his eyes,” Shah said, in an apparent reference to Italian roots of Rahul’s mother Sonia Gandhi.
The BJP chief likened the unity among opposition parties on the issue of demonetisation to all animals in a jungle climbing the same tree to save their lives from raging floods.
He likened SP, BSP and Congress to “naagnath and saanpnath” (snakes) sitting over schemes for development of Uttar Pradesh forcing youths to migrate to other states for menial jobs, and asserted that “come what may, BJP will come to power” after the coming Assembly election.
He said demonetisation has taken the wind out of BSP supremo Mayawati’s sails.
Shah said till November 7 these parties used to ask “Modiji what have you done to check black money. Now, these very parties ask ‘Modiji why have you done this to check black money,” the BJP chief said.
The tough step has caused discomfort to those having lakhs of crores of rupees ill-gotten money, Shah said.
Noting that it was his duty to answer the questions being raised by the opposition parties on note ban, Shah said every single paisa being deposited after deducting the 75 to 85 per cent penalty by the black money holders will be used for the development and welfare works.
Attacking Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Shah said he should give an account of his achievements during his nearly five-year rule rather than trying to divert the people’s attention by raising the issue of demonetisation.