Demonetisation anniversary: Congress alleged that BJP has benefited through the move. (File)
As the Centre's demonetisation move completes one year, the Congress which called notes ban the 'biggest scam' on Wednesday demanded an apology by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's to the public, alleging that the step 'destroyed' the economy and caused immense pain to the people.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it is strange that while the entire country is mourning and observing 'black day', the government is celebrating, and wondered what had it achieved with the demonetisation decision.
Mr Surjewala alleged that the BJP and its leaders have benefited through it and demanded a thorough probe into their dealings. "It is unfortunate that the looters are celebrating and people are mourning," he said.
He drew parallels between the demonetisation step and Mughal emperor Mohammed bin Tughlaq's decision to replace metal currency that brought misery to the people. "The dictator of the current times took a similar decision which ruined the country's economy," he alleged.
"It would have been better if Modiji and Jaitley ji had apologised to the people after admitting that they committed a huge mistake and should have got it investigated, as no one loses anything by apologising.
"But it seems that the prime minister of the country is so drunk with arrogance of power that he is refusing to see reason," he said.
The Congress leader also insinuated that the government is using the CBI to divert public attention on notes ban anniversary, by putting out a story of the sensational twist about murder of Gurgaon school boy Pradyuman a few months ago.
"Intimidation of the fourth estate and misuse of Compromise Bureau of Investigation as a BJP puppet will never hide the truth," he said, referring to the case.