Note ban no surgical strike on black money: Hardik Patel

NEW DELHI: Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel today said the poor and farmers have been hit the most by the note ban and it cannot be termed as a surgical strike against black money.

"As far as curbing black money is concerned, it is a right decision but it is not a surgical strike against the wealth amassed illegally."

"I could not see the son of Jaitley, Adani or Ambani in the queues. I saw only farmers and poor people there," Patel said.

Asked whether he supported demonetisation, he said, "It is a welcome step against corruption. But if it is merely a gimmick then it is not good."

It is okay if the government continues with the note ban but it should also address the problems of farmers and the poor, the Patidar leader said.

Asked if he will join protests against demonetisation, he said, "No. I will not protest demonetisation. I will protest corruption."

At a "Kisan Panchayat" organised by suspended AAP MLA from Bijwasan Col Devendra Sehrawat, Patel claimed that there is no development in Gujarat and the state is reeling under "a debt of Rs 3 lakh crore".