Govt’s priority is to change life of poor, not lifestyle of a few: PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: With increasing criticism by the Opposition of demonetisation, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today defended the scheme saying it was meant to curb corruption and finally help the poor.

Speaking after the party's National Executive Meet in New Delhi today, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad informed reporters about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the meet.

The Prime Minister said unregulated flow of currency became a stimulus for corruption, Prasad revealed.


As per Prasad, the PM saluted the inner strength of the poor who responded to his appeal and voluntarily supported demonetisation in spite of facing difficulties.

PM Modi said that for BJP the poor and poverty were not tools to win elections or get votes. “The PM said that the government wants to give tools to the poor with which they can defeat poverty,” Prasad said. “Our government's priority is to change the life of the poor and not to better lifestyle of a few.”

PM spoke on the success of government schemes such as Jan Dhan, Beti Bacho Beti Padhao and Swachh Bharat, Prasad told reporters.

Prasad said there was a discussion on political funding and PM Modi stressed the need for transparency. He appreciated observations of the Supreme Court, the President and the Election Commission on the funding of political parties.