Mukul Sangma criticises PM Modi, says `wheel of development` has come to standstill

Tura (Meghalaya) [India], Feb 18 (ANI): Continuing his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation drive, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Sunday said the 'wheel of development' has come to a standstill due to the ban on high currency note. Speaking at the Jan Vedna Sammelan at Resubelpara in North Garo Hills, Sangma said, "The wheel of development has come to a standstill as people are still seen lining up in front of banks and ATMs by giving up their day-to-day livelihood." "Modi wants to make India cashless but did he take decision by taking all stakeholders into confidence. He (Modi) took the decision overnight which created hurdles for poor, farmers, labour, shopkeepers, middle class and the entire unorganized sector," he added. Raising concern over the northeastern tradition of giving cash on occasion like marriages and death, the Chief Minister asked if India goes cashless, how would the region will follow their tradition. Though he did not talk much about e-wallet and other options, which were available but categorically said, "Now the common people should keep swipe machines at their homes". "Institution where corruption never took place is now happening because of demonetisation. It has affected the socio-economic condition of the people and the traditional norms. In future, people of this country will face worse situation. So it is incumbent on our party to create consciousness and awareness amongst the citizens", the Chief Minister reiterated, speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the Jan Vedna. "We have to enlighten the people as a responsible and committed political party that we have vigilant and alert citizens who cannot be taken for a ride by leaders like Modi", he added. When asked if Congress party is prepared to fight BJP's alleged wrong policies, the Chief Minister said, "The fight is on. In democracy, political parties fight on behalf of the people, which we are doing". All senior Congress leaders including All India Congress Committee in-charge for Meghalaya CP Joshi, forest and environment minister Clement Marak, elementary education and literacy minister Deborah Marak, sports minister Zenith Sangma and former chief ministers of Meghalaya -- DD Lapang and Salseng C. Marak attended the function. Attacking the Union Government for not restoring cash flow and accused it of ruining the central bank's autonomy, Joshi reminded the gathering that Modi had sought 50 days for the situation to normalize but nothing much have been done to restore normalcy. "It is almost three months now, Modi should now tell the people how much black money had been detected. He had assured acche din for the people of the country but where is acche din?" he asked. He stated that demonetisation only benefitted a few people while the majority suffered. Through the programme, Congress party made a pitch to strike cord with the people of the area that Modi has failed to live upto the expectation of the people. Mukul, Joshi and other speakers made effort to woe the people of North Garo Hills that people should awaken and be prepared to say no to anti-people policies of Modi and his party. They tried to send out a message that BJP and its ally would make their tentacles expand and fool the people of Garo hills but it was people's responsibility to reject them. (ANI)