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UP made you PM, can also remove you: Mamata warns Modi over demonetisation

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who has vociferously been opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government’s demonetisation move, said “note-bandi” (note ban) was a scandal unfolding slowly.

Updated on: Nov 29, 2016, 21:10:07 IST
Hindustan Times | By , Lucknow
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West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who has vociferously been opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government’s demonetisation move, said “note-bandi” (note ban) was a scandal unfolding slowly.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee addresses a rally of Samajwadi Party supporters against demonetisation, in Lucknow on Tuesday. (PTI)
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee addresses a rally of Samajwadi Party supporters against demonetisation, in Lucknow on Tuesday. (PTI)

“We have documents how land was purchased by the BJP just before demonetisation. The party is looting the country without declaring emergency. People must teach it a lesson in the Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan polls,” she said in Lucknow during her party’s demonstration at 1090 Crossing in Gomti Nagar on Tuesday.

Read | PM Modi takes veiled digs at Mamata, Congress over demonetisation issue

“Demonetisation is not a fight against black money, but a ‘black emergency’ that left millions of people suffering... You (Modi) did note-bandi and people will do vote-bandi (no votes).This is a fight for people’s rights” she said told the large gathering, which included scores of Samajwadi Party supporters. Ministers from UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s cabinet were also present at the rally.

Mamata, who took out protests in New Delhi and Kolkata against demonetisation, criticised the PM for asking his party MPs to disclose their bank transactions by December 30. She demanded the disclosure begin with party president Amit Shah, besides challenging Modi to reveal his account details.

Political rivals have been conducting rallies in UP as the state heads towards assembly polls early next year, each hoping to curry favour from the electorally significant state -- UP has the most number of seats in the Lok Sabha.

Read | Demonetisation has hit those seeking money for poll tickets: PM Modi

“Be it the freedom struggle or the fight for land rights, UP has always been at the forefront of movements in India. The state has also given India several Prime Ministers from Nehruji’s time. And with elections drawing closer, I saw an opportunity to educate people why they should not vote for the BJP,” she said, adding, “Now the Samajwadi Party and Trinamool are one.” She further pitched for Yadav to be re-elected in 2017.

Continuing her anit-Modi call -- the CM has vowed to “evict PM Modi from politics” -- Mamata demanded that Modi rollback the demonetisation or forfeit his post. Attacking Modi, she said he was only giving speeches while failing to give ration to people. “Modi ji, if UP has made you PM, then it has power to remove you from the same post... They (BJP) believe in the politics of riots and do not work for people. There are so many villages which do not have banks. How will people survive?”

  • Rajeev Mullick
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Rajeev Mullick

    Rajeev Mullick, Assistant Editor, is a Lucknow-based journalist with over 26 years of experience covering governance, public policy and administration in Uttar Pradesh. His reporting focuses on the district administration, the Divisional Commissioner's Office, the Regional Meteorological Centre, and government policies relating to technical, higher, secondary and primary education. Known for impactful public-interest journalism, his investigations have led to significant policy attention, including a report on deficiencies in a state-run school footwear distribution scheme that prompted widespread national coverage and High Court intervention. He broke the story on the Uttar Pradesh government's One District One Cuisine initiative, highlighting the inclusion of sweets and the exclusion of non-vegetarian dishes, triggering widespread public debate. He covered Mahakumbh 2025 at Prayagraj, reports on the event's administrative, logistical and civic dimensions. From 2012 to 2024, he headed the Lucknow City Bureau, leading coverage of the state's administrative and civic developments while mentoring young reporters. He loves to travel, listen to music. He is fond of eating good food both veg and non veg. He has travelled to several states like West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Family Nadu, Kerela, Bihar, Jharkhand and home state UP.Read More