Mamata flays Modi's address, says PM strayed from real agenda

KOLKATA: Describing Narendra Modi's address to the nation tonight as a "pre-budget speech", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today alleged that the Prime Minister deviated from the actual agenda of black money and demonetisation.

"PM deviated from actual agenda of black money & #DeMonetisation PM just took over post of Finance Minister and made pre-Budget speech (sic)," Banerjee said in a series of tweets.

"So the FM was missing from this advance Budget Speech made by PM. Modi babu, empty vessels make the most noise," she said claiming it was a "heartless, baseless speech".

Banerjee reminded the Prime Minister that he forgot to even pay respect to more than 112 citizens who died in queues to get cash.

"Saying Nation Address & doing political vendetta. In the name of addressing the nation, Modi Babu is serving his selfish personal agenda," she tweeted.

"The Nation Address became the Budget Address. Financial Emergency continues in the name of black money cleanup. Money not available in banks. Still no concrete solutions to problems," Banerjee said.

Attacking Modi she said he wanted 50 days to deliver promises but "badly failed".

"PM who runs nation in the name of 'Suddhikaran' just underwent 'Buddhiharan'," she said adding promises were broken and he has snatched common man's financial rights.

She also asked where are the figures of demonetisation and how much of black money was recovered?

"What did the nation gain after 50 days of excruciating pain," the West Bengal CM asked while claiming that 2017 will mark the end of demonetisation and start of "DeModitisation".