PM Narendra Modi wants BJP MPs to publicise benefits of demonetisation

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants BJP MPs to publicise "benefits" of the demonetisation and also counter the opposition's charges against it during this weekend as the political battle over the measure heats up in and outside Parliament.

Sources said the MPs have been asked to interact with people and the media to disseminate information about the move's positive impact and also assuage public concerns caused by long waiting queues outside banks and ATMs to exchange old notes and withdraw money.

The party leadership has asked its allies to follow suit and take on the opposition. BJP's Parliamentary Party office has given all the MPs, including those of its allies, a compilation of the RBI's and Finance Ministry's communication over demonetisation so that they could use the information to inform the masses and counter the opposition's points, sources said.

A party leader pointed out the relaxations announced by the government for farmers or families hosting wedding ceremony and said these should be spread among the masses.

The saffron party is working overtime to dispel any negative publicity, especially in poll-bound states like UP, over the radical move and deployed its rank and file to project the exercise as an important step against black money, corruption and fake currency.

SP and BSP, its main rivals in Uttar Pradesh, have flayed the measure, calling it "anti-poor". Two other regional parties, TMC and AAP, have gone a step further and demanded a roll back failing which they will launch a country-wide agitation.

Proceedings in both the Houses in Parliament were a virtual washout today due to noisy protests by opposition members over the issue.