Jaitley lauds “futuristic” PM Modi, pulls up Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi [India], Jan. 8 : A day after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) adopted an economic resolution hailing the recall of high-value notes as a "historic step" and linking it to "patriotism and people's honour," Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for thinking of the next generation while taking a dig at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for finding ways to disrupt the sessions of Parliament.

Putting forth his views in his blog posted on Facebook, Jaitley went on to call the Congress vice-president a "mischief-maker".

"While Prime Minister Narendra Modi thinks of the next generation, Rahul Gandhi only intends to find ways at how to disrupt the sessions of Parliament," he said.

Describing the two months of demonetisation in India, he wrote that the Centre's decision was 'historic' and 'bold' move made towards the welfare of the poor.

He said that the demonetisation decision was taken because Prime Minister Modi-led government is 'visionary' and 'committed' about its promises made before coming to power.

"Focusing primarily on demonetisation, the PM is now speaking of cleaning the political funding systems as his opponents want a cash dominated, cash generating and cash exchange system to continue," he wrote while calling the Prime Minister as a futuristic person, who thinks of a more modern, technology driven cleaner economy.

The Finance Minister said all opinion polls conducted by independent media organizations have shown that an overwhelmingly large percentage of people have supported the government's decision.

Adding to this, he wrote that the opposition has disrupted a full Session of Parliament. "Their protests have been ineffective. Their exaggerated claims on the disruption of the economy have proved wrong," he added. Jaitley further said it is a tragedy that a national party like the Congress decided to adopt a political position while opposing both technology, change and reforms.

Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Modi asked BJP leaders to welcome criticism and remain unfazed by allegations, in remarks seen both as defending the demonetisation move as well as rebutting opposition charges of personal corruption against him.

Source: ANI