'The entire country is not working. Everyone is waiting in queues to get notes," Arvind Kejriwal said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today alleged that ahead of the government's ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, certain people in the BJP were in the know and they have converted their black money into gold.
"BJP confidantes had been informed about this prior to the crackdown. That's why there were major deposits in banks in the months of July, August, September and October.
The holders of black money have already converted their stocks of rupee banknotes into gold and dollars, he said, reflecting the view of a section of experts. "Only the common man is suffering. Those with black money are not in queue. People in queues don't have black money," he added.
"The BJP people knew beforehand and BJP black money in Swiss banks, property, gold. The non-BJP owners are not allowed to deposit over Rs 2.5 lakh," he said, taking a dig at the government's statement that anyone depositing such a large amount will have his accounts keenly scrutinized.
Mr Kejriwal also cited the case of a businessman from Gujarat who had even tweeted his picture with the new Rs 2000 note, which the government had officially launched on Friday,
In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the government was scrapping the high denomination notes as part of its battle against black money and terror funds. But as people flocked to banks to change the banned notes and cash dried up fast at ATMs, the opposition came up with scathing criticism of the government policies.
The government, Mr Kejriwal said, should have given more time for phasing out the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, in view of the common man's suffering.
The government has said maintaining secrecy over the move has resulted in a currency crunch and today PM Modi had sought 50 days' time from the people, indicating that the measure against black money will take effect by then.
Reacting to the Prime Minister's statement, he said, "People can't stand in line and withdraw Rs 1000 every day for the next 50 days. "The entire country is not working. Everyone is just waiting in queues to get notes. I went to different areas of Delhi yesterday. Chaos everywhere, markets shut," he said.
Mr Kejriwal said he was "saddened" by the Prime Minister's dig that those standing in line are people with black money. "He should go see the people who're standing in line. Modi should apologise to them," Mr Kejriwal said.