PM Modi in Madhya Pradesh: Had to take ‘poisonous medicine’ of demonetisation to get rid of corruption

Addressing a rally in Jhabua, Modi said that corruption was so rampant during the Congress' regime that his government had to use a strong dose like demonetisation so that the money looted from the poor is returned to the exchequer.

Defending his government’s demonetisation policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said he was forced to use a ‘strong medicine to get rid of the termite of corruption spread during the Congress regime’.

Addressing a rally in tribal-dominated Jhabua district in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, Modi said, “When termites spread you have to use the most poisonous medicine to get rid of it. During the Congress regime, corruption was so rampant that we had to use a strong dose like demonetisation so that the money looted from the poor is returned to the exchequer.”

“Look at Modi’s power, notes stashed in houses, factories, under bed….they were forced to deposit everything in the bank. When the hidden money became public, it is being used for public welfare activities,” he added. Modi also said that he has already stopped corruption at the top level by blocking all routes and used technology to minimise corruption prevailing at the lower level.

Targeting the Congress, Modi said, “Remember the time when Congress was in power here in Madhya Pradesh, what was the condition of people? Madhya Pradesh does not deserve a government which never thinks about the state’s welfare.”

Comparing the work done under the Congress and BJP governments in the state, Modi said that the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led government established 4,000 schools in the state in just 15 years as opposed to the Congress which could only build 1,500 schools in 55 years.

“Our mantra is to provide education to boys and girls, income for youth, irrigation facility to farmers and medicines to elders,” Modi said.

Modi said his government has so far disbursed loans to 14 crore people under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Loan Yojana and “that too without guarantee”.

The Prime Minister also said his government will provide a pucca house to everyone in the country by 2022, and that his government has already given such houses to 1.25 crore people.

(With PTI inputs)