In an undated news video clip, Bhojpuri superstar-turned-politician, Manoj Tiwari, who was recently appointed president of the Bharatiya Janata Party unit in Delhi, is seen making fun of people compelled to stand in long queues at ATMS following the Modi government's decision to scrap the ₹500 and ₹1000 notes.
The video clip, tweeted out by a Bahujan Samaj Party handle on Tuesday evening, shows Tiwari sitting around a table with several people including Sudhanshu Trivedi, a national spokesperson for the BJP. Tiwari, who represents the North East Delhi constituency, tells the others how he had belted out a song to boost the morale of people standing in a queue, and then goes on to mock them.
"I said desh bhakt hain kataar mein. Everyone started smiling....they said we will keep standing till the 30th," Tiwari said in jeering tone, while the others started laughing.
While announcing demonetisation on 8 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked citizens to bear with the hardships that would come with this massive exercise until 30 December. "Experience tells us that ordinary citizens are always ready to make sacrifices and face difficulties for the benefit of the nation," Modi said.
"So, in this fight against corruption, black money, fake notes and terrorism, in this movement for purifying our country, will our people not put up with difficulties for some days?" he said.
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