NDA stands behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi on demonetisation

New Delhi: BJP and its allies today strongly backed the government's demonetisation decision on which Prime Minister Narendra Modi ruled out any rethink as the parties prepared to take on the opposition in the winter session of Parliament beginning November 16. Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters after the meeting that there was no rethink on rendering the high-value currency notes illegal, saying the government's crusade against black money and corruption will be carried to its logical conclusion. The NDA allies decided that they will take on the opposition parties criticising the demonetisation move by countering each of their allegations during the session. They also decided not to be defensive as people have supported the decision and are willing to face inconvenience. Modi received a big thumbs up from NDA allies who threw their weight behind him in supporting the demonetisation move as well as the surgical strikes across LoC in September. Earlier, Modi got support from his own partymen at the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting which discussed the steps taken by him to curb corruption and black money. The Prime Minister told the NDA allies that there was no need to be defensive on demonetisation as there is widespread support for the move and people are ready to face hardships for larger gains. He also urged the NDA allies to go to the public and explain its benefits in the long run in curbing corruption and black money. He told the parties that the credit for the move does not go to him personally but to all parties who have stood by the government, adding he will continue to take the drive forward as the steps taken by him have given hope to people that things will improve. At the NDA meet, after the introductory remarks by the Prime Minister, Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan congratulated him on the "bold and decisive" step to demonetise high denomination currency notes. He said it will help reduce the rich-poor divide in the country. Paswan was followed by all other allies who supported the move and lauded the PM for the step, besides the surgical strikes across the LoC.