Give me 50 days over scrapped notes, punish me if problems persist: Modi
Speaking at a Goa government function near Panaji, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his drive against corruption and black money, especially the de-monetisation, had put him in the cross-hairs of those who hold black money. (ANI Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi choked with emotion during an impassioned speech in Goa on Sunday as he appealed to people to give him 50 days to end their hardship after his government abolished high-value banknotes.
The BJP-led government pulled 500- and 1,000-rupee notes out of circulation from November 9 in a blitz against black money, counterfeits, corruption, and terrorist funding. But the switch hasn’t been smooth with banks and ATMs kiosks recording long queues of people waiting for hours for their turn to deposit defunct notes and get new ones, triggering public anger and opposition’s criticism.
Modi defended his government’s decision on Sunday, saying this is “an important step in my fight” against black money and corruption.
“I have asked the country for just 50 days. If after December 30, there are shortcomings in my work or there are mistakes or a bad intention found in my work, I will be prepared for the punishment that the country decides for me,” he said.
His appeal is viewed as a counteroffensive to blunt the opposition’s move to corner the government over the demonetization exercise.
“Did you think Modi will just come and go like other political parties … I am not here for the qursi (high office). I left my home, family, everything for the country,” he said.