Modi practising politics of fear and anger: Rahul on demonetisation

New Delhi: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday continued his attacked on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, accusing him of practising politics of "fear and anger" and exhorted partymen to defeat his ideology.

"On November 8, Modiji said he is performing a 'yagya' against corruption and black money. In every yagya someone's sacrifice is done and every yagya is done to benefit someone.

"The demonetisation 'yagya' is for 50 families of the country's 1 per cent super rich. It is the poor, farmers, labourers, middle class and small shopkeepers who are being sacrificed in this 'yagya'. There has been tremendous pain caused by it," he said presiding over Congress Party's 132nd Foundation Day celebrations.

The Congress will stand with people, farmers, labourers, middle-class and small shopkeepers and with the country and help them, he said, exhorting Congressmen to reach out to those "pained" by demonetisation and fight and defeat the ideology of Modi and RSS that spreads "fear and hatred".

"Congress workers have to reach out to people and I am confident that they will do this and will fight out and defeat the ideology of Narendra Modi and RSS which spreads anger and hate," he said.

Accusing Modi for hurting financial independence of people of this country, he asked on what basis limits of Rs 24,000 were imposed on withdrawal.

Filling in for his mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi who is note keeping well, Rahul for the first time today unfurled the Tricolour at the party headquarters to mark the Congress Foundation Day.

In another first, he later addressed a gathering of top party leaders including all members of the Congress Working Committee, indicating his slow but consistent march towards elevation as Congress chief.

Rahul used the occasion to trace the party's history of sacrifices and struggles to say Congress was synonymous with acceptance of the other. "Congress means understanding the other. Congress means I am not alone and that there is another perspective apart from mine. Congress is the idea that it is not only my view that will prevail. I must seek your view. Congress means reaching out to you, Congress means listening to you. Congress means understanding the other," he told the gathering.

Seeking to project the BJP as a divisive force as against an inclusive Congress, he said, "Modi government is today tearing apart the fabric of our country. Modiji's policies are creating a tremendous fear psychosis among people. Modiji is trying to convert this fear and pain into hatred. Demonetisation is an example of this.

"The aim is to run a government of select few, take away the money from the poor and give it to a select few. Spread fear and anger and rule on that basis. We have shown that questions have been raised on Modiji and there are charges on him. He should answer these questions," he said.

Rahul traced Congress' history of fighting the freedom struggle and said, "Congress helped people understand the meaning of Swaraj and independence. Congress helps fight fear."

The functioning of the party is not about an an individual but about everyone, he said.

"I would first want to talk about what is relationship of people of the country with Congress party. It is that of sharing pain and of sharing emotions. This idea says that you are not alone. They gave a name to that idea and called it Congress," the party Vice President said.

He said the note ban decision has robbed the poor people of their money, which is intended to be given to the rich of the country.

He said it is the poor, the farmers, labourers, the middle class and the common people who are suffering the most.

Today's event was significant because it’s rare for the party vice-president to preside over the Foundation Day function.

There has been a growing demand within the party for the Gandhi scion to take over reins of the party from his mother Sonia Gandhi as Congress president.

The CWC, the party's highest decision-making body, had also verbally resolved and urged Sonia Gandhi to elevate Rahul to the top post recently. A large number of senior Congress leaders were present on the occasion.

Lashing out at Modi, the Congress leader alleged that the Prime Minister did this demonetisation 'yagya' for only 50 families while the poor and small shopkeepers have suffered and government should provide compensation to these people.

He said the money deposited in banks is that of the people of the country and the limit imposed by him on bank accounts should be withdrawn immediately to help restore their financial independence.

"The farmers have been hit hard. He should waive their loans and provide 20 per cent bonus in MSP to farmers," he said, adding that small shopkeepers be also compensated by providing 50 per cent rebate on sales tax and income tax.

"The Prime Minister has to tell the country why he caused pain to the poor people and snatched their financial independence.

"Narendra Modi should answer when he will present the list of all Swiss bank holders beforer the lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the list that has been provided to him by the Swiss government. We want to know who are these thieves and why is Modi saving them," he said.

In the questions posed to the Prime Minister, Gandhi asked, "What was the process of consultation and preparedness followed prior to the implementation of demonetization? Why were experts, economists or the RBI not consulted before unleashing this draconian policy upon the people?."

He also asked the government to place the names of all persons, institutions and entities that deposited Rs 25 lakh or more in bank accounts in six months preceding November 8.