PM Modi is greeted by BJP leader BC Khanduri during the Parivartan Rally in Dehradun.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asserted that demonetisation has destroyed black money, terror funding and human and drug trafficking, all in one stroke. Addressing the BJP's 'parivartan maharally' in poll-bound Uttarakhand, PM Modi hit back at Rahul Gandhi's charge of helping big corporates and the rich and said, his government is focused on working for the poor.
PM Modi appeared to rebut Rahul Gandhi's charge when he said that while the UPA government's move to raise the number of subsidised cylinders from 9 to 12 was projected as momentous, his government gave gas cylinders to five crore people below poverty line.
"18,000 villagers were living in 18th century without electricity... in thousand days, we have electrified 12,000 villages. Work on remaining 6,000 is on. Is this working for rich or empowering the poor," he said.
Targeting parties who are opposing the note ban, he claimed some people are upset as his decision has struck the "ring leader of thieves".
With the decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, the black money stored in cupboards and under mattresses is now coming to banks and to the people, he said, adding he is fulfilling his duty of a 'chowkidar' (watchman) to get rid of black money and "dark hearts" which have ruined the country.
"In some, corruption is in the blood. They used back door to convert the money and thought PM Modi cannot see.
"But we knew and now they are being caught," he said referring to various raids by law enforcement agencies on black money hoarders.
Describing note ban as a "cleanliness drive", he thanked the people for standing by him. He also said the move is aimed at empowering the people and to give them a bright future.
"I am fighting to make the honest empowered," PM Modi said adding that his November 8 decision has dealt a devastating blow to black money and terror funding.
The decision is not being liked by some people as he has struck directly at the "ring leader of thieves" (choron ka sardar), the Prime Minister said.