Clarify if JD(U) supports demonetisation or not, BJP asks Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

PATNA: Accusing the JD(U) of adopting "double standard" on demonetisation, Opposition BJP in Bihar today posed a direct question to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar whether his party was in favour of the decision to ban old Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 banknotes or against it.

"On one hand, Nitish Kumar welcomes the step to end black money. On the other, former JD(U) president and MP Sharad Yadav sits on a dharna with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, demanding rollback of the demonetisation decision," senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said in a statement.

"Nitish Kumar should clarify if he agrees with Sharad Yadav's view that 'notebandi ka wahi harsh hoga jo nasbandi ka hua tha apatkal mein' (demonetisation will meet the same fate as that of forced sterilisation during the Emergency days)," he added.


Immediately after the Centre's announcement of the demonetisation decision, Kumar had supported the step to fight black money and even sought an attack on benami property. But, Yadav was questioning the rationale behind the decision, Modi pointed out.

"Isn't it double standard of the JD(U) on demonetisation? Being the head of the party, Kumar should make it clear whether the JD(U) is in favour of demonetisation or opposed to it," the former deputy chief minister of Bihar said.