With the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) opposing the move of the RBI to withdraw Rs 2000 currency notes from the market, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday targeted the ruling BJD dispensation, saying the party’s leaders are in a state of fear and apprehension as they have hoarded Rs 2000 currency notes.
Yesterday, BJD leader Shashi Bhushan Behera had criticized the move of the RBI. He had said the Central government is creating financial instability. Similarly, in her response, BJD leader and Revenue Minister Pramila Mallick had said the move would cause trouble to common people.
The leaders’ statements have provided a peg to the BJP to hang its attack on the BJD. The BJP asked if Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik supported the demonetization in 2016, why the party is opposing the move now.
“Next to the Congress, the BJD is the second such party that has accumulated black money and hoarded Rs 2000 notes. This is the reason why they are opposing the central government’s move to withdraw Rs 2000 notes,” said BJP State General Secretary Prithviraj Harichandan.
The Congress too hit out at the ruling BJD dispensation accusing it of hoarding black money.
“Among the regional political parties, the BJD is the second richest party. They have hoarded Rs 2000 notes. To regularize it, Narendra Modi has gone for withdrawal of Rs 2000 currency notes,” said Congress leader Suresh Routray.
On the other hand, the BJD hit back at the BJP over hawala money.
“People know very well about hawala transactions and how people with notes have fled the country,” said BJD leader Shashi Bhushan Behera.
Meanwhile, political analysts have a consensus that many leaders in Odisha have hoarded Rs 2000 currency notes.
“In Odisha, the BJD is opposing the move. This indicates that they are getting a huge amount of black money. And the same is being hoarded to spend during elections. We are witnessing this. This move has been taken keeping the coming general elections in mind,” said senior journalist Rabi Das.