Highlight ban benefits, PM Modi tells BJP MPs

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked leaders of the BJP, including MPs, to highlight the “benefits” of the demonetisation move and aggressively counter the Opposition’s charges against it.

The BJP has asked its MPs to interact with people and the media to disseminate information about the move’s positive impact. BJP MPs have been asked to visit their respective constituencies during the weekend and highlight the demonetisation issue. With Assembly elections lined up in key states, the BJP leadership is working overtime to dispel any negative publicity regarding the government’s demonetisation move.

The BJP had, earlier this week, asked its leaders, workers and supporters to help and assist people standing in queues outside ATMs and banks and also to disseminate information, including how much money can be deposited and withdrawn, and how much old currency can be given back to banks at one time.

The BJP leadership has also asked its allies to follow suit and take on the Opposition, which had stalled Parliament proceedings over the issue.

The BJP’s parliamentary party office has given all the MPs, including those of its allies, a compilation of the RBI’s and finance ministry’s communications over demonetisation so that they could use the information to inform the masses and counter the Opposition’s points, sources said. BJP leaders have also been asked to highlight the relaxations announced by the government for farmers or families hosting wedding ceremonies, and said these should be spread among the masses.

Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said people’s lives will be impacted for a “better tomorrow”.

He also added that the government is concerned over the hardship being faced by the people and is taking measures to ease it.