Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised a new nation in a new year and a clean-up of 70-year-old slush pile of black money and told his party MPs that the decision to demonetise notes of higher denomination was to help the poor. He emphasized that the country will start reaping the benefits of the scheme after 50 days.
While addressing the BJP parliamentary party, Modi said, “Na apne liye, na apnon ka” (not for myself nor for my dear ones). I am here to work for the welfare of the poor and I will keep doing it.” He said that the demonetisation was needed to “correct the system which has accumulated 70 years of black money and corruption”.
“When systemic changes happen, there will be some trouble. But the whole nation is supporting this. The positive response has been beyond my expectations,” the Prime Minister said.
“No one can say it was without warning. I have given adequate alerts in my speeches. It’s not my fault if some people have not got the message,” he added.
BJP sources said, “The PM got emotional recalling the sacrifices made by soldiers, who risked their lives, crossed the border and attacked militants. Modi said the demonetisation process is a “great move but not as big as the surgical strike.””
“There will be a new India in the New Year. Naya saal, naya Bharat. You go to people and explain that our fight is against black money, corruption, counterfeit notes and terror funding,” he said.
Prime Minister, said: “Every major transformational initiative results in some discomfort to start with. Initial pain leads to substantial gain.”
“At this crucial juncture, political parties have to choose whether they would stand by the government and the people or protect the interest of black money hoarders,” the BJP said.
“I see this unfortunate trend that there are people in public life who have been emboldened to make speeches in favour of corruption. They are openly coming out in favour of corruption, in favour of black money (Main dekh raha hoon ki durbhagya yah ki aaj saarvjanik jeevan mein yeh himmat aa rahi hai ki corruption ke paksh me bhashan log kar paa rahe hain, corruption ke paksh me, kaale dhan ke paksh me, khule aam maidan me utar rahe hain),” the Prime Minister said in another function.
Modi said, “Your life should be spotless if you are living for the nation. But the kind of deterioration that is happening in values is there to see. There was a time when people used to suffer for not accepting corruption. Then times changed. Compromise started and people started offering bribe for personal work. Then times further changed, the value system fell so much (that) people started saying that corruption is no longer an issue as it has become part of life.”
“There may be some people who do not have the courage to fight corruption and society forgives them but people who become the torch-bearers of evil create a very big crisis before the nation. Generations won’t forgive those who betray basic values,” he added.
By Premji
