Rahul Gandhi flays PM, calls demonetisation "Modi-made disaster" at rally in Karnataka

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, terming the central government's demonetisation move as a "disaster". 

Hours after meeting DMK chief Karunanidhi in Chennai, Rahul addressed party workers at Belagavi in Karnataka. 

The 46-year-old leader chose demonetisation as the main weapon to attack PM and the central government. 

"PM Modi has attacked our economy. Normally PM works for the country and for the people. Modi tried to snatch away the land of the farmers, made fun of farmers in Parliament. Farmers do not have black money, it is only with the 1% super rich. The government went after farmers and not the thieves," he said. 

Rahul went on to say that demonetisation was "firebombing on the common man" and that many had lost their lives because of it. 

"Demonetisation was no surgical strike, it was not an attack on black money either. It is purely a Modi-made disaster," Rahul reiterated. 

Assuring that the Congress party intends to wipe out corruption, Rahul said that the party would indeed support any move to fight corruption, but held that demonetisation was not one of them. 

Criticizing Modi's promise that the inconvenience of demonetisation would be over within 50 days, Rahul asserted that this was not the case. 

"You can take it from me in writing, that this is not going to happen. Everyday, Modi is changing the narrative. BJP leaders already knew about the move," he said in Nehru stadium. 

Calling the BJP government "a suit boot sarkar," Rahul said that the Congress will drive the former out of Delhi. 

Rahul questioned the PM on why liquor baron Vijay Mallya's loan was waived off and why Lalit Modi and Mallya were still in London, instead of facing the law.  

"Modi can no longer hide, he will have to answer," Rahul emphasized. 

Towing the same line, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah called Modi "a liar". 

"PM lied to the nation, he lied when he said he was not allowed to speak about the note ban in parliament. He has also failed to control the consequences of note ban with more than 100 people losing their lives after standing in queues outside banks and ATMs. No black money hoarder was ever seen standing in the queue," Siddharamaiah said. 

Home Minister G Parameshwara too, lashed out at the central government for delaying the release of relief funds. 

"Centre hasn’t released drought relief despite the state reeling under severe drought. Demonetisation has ruined the economic system of our country," he said.