Politicians opposing note ban are standing for the corrupt : Modi hits back at Rahul and others

"When I was planning the policy, I didn’t anticipate one thing. I never thought that the country’s politicians and certain parties will stand with the guilty and on the wrong side,"  he said while addressing a rally at the Benaras Hindu University.

"I am happy when Rahul Gandhi speaks...It's good that when black money is being unearthed, some people are also opening up their dark mind," Modi said in a scornful innuendo in his inimitable style.

While Rahul Gandhi, in Mehsana, had levelled the  sensational allegation of  Modi's personal corruption, the Prime Minister's intent was obviously  to move the people's court by painting those baying for his blood as ones acting against the nation's interest.

He asked the opposition leaders to keep faith in the people.

"I want to tell the country’s politicians to have faith in the country’s people who have withstood the inconvenience."

Modi claimed that 125 crore Indians have supported the note ban, which has already yielded results with black money being unearthed, corruption being put on leash and Maoists, bereft of funds that they had with the stash of old high-denomination notes, starting to surrender.

Hitting back at Manmohan Singh, one of the most vocal critics of  the way demonetisation has been implemented, Modi said it was his predecessor who had left the legacy of poverty.

"When I spoke about cashless economy, Manmohan Singh said ‘how can a country full of poor talk about technology.’ Was he (Manmohan Singh) giving his report card, or mine? Who’s legacy is this poverty?" he asked.