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Congress Says There Will Be No ' Bharat Bandh' Tomorrow But Will Hold Protests Across The Country

Party Leader Jairam Ramesh claims demonetisation "was a political move being sold as a fight against corruption"
Henry Romero / Reuters

Congress today made it clear it has not called for a 'Bharat bandh' tomorrow, but will hold protests across the country against demonetisation, which it alleged "was a political move being sold as a fight against corruption".

Speaking to reporters here, party leader Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes in "dhamaka" politics and the decision to scrap high-value currency notes was taken because he had seen the "writing on the wall" in Uttar Pradesh, where polls are due next year.

He claimed that Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes were scrapped to cover up the government's failure to deliver on the Prime Minister's big electoral promise of bringing back black money stashed abroad and Modi wanted to do something "dramatic".

"It is a political move which is being sold as a fight against corruption," Ramesh said hitting out at the Centre.

He said people who have amassed wealth by illegal means are not suffering, but those who do not have black money are facing hardships.

"Unfortunately, people who needed to be attacked have gone scot-free," he said, adding that one section of "suited-booted" people was still leading a life of luxury.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.