Nitish Kumar backs Modi's demonetisation move, says Centre should now crack whip on benami properties

Patna: At a time when almost the entire opposition is slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's move of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes, Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar, Wednesday, reiterated his support for total ban on the high denomination notes.

Addressing a public gathering in Madhubani, Kumar hailed NDA governmnet's move of scrapping Rs 500/1000 notes, saying "I am in total favour of the ban".

The JD(U) leader was of the opinion that demonetisation move will eradicate black money from the country.

The Bihar CM favoured action on the 'benami' properties and urge the Centre to crack the whip on the said menace.

Kumar's support comes as Opposition parties including Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Samajwadi Party vociferous attacking the government over its move to demonetise currency and the trouble being faced by people on account of the move across the country.

Meanwhile, the winter session of Rajya Sabha opened today with a united opposition mounting an assault on the government over demonetisation, saying it had led to "economic anarchy" in the country and alleged selective leak of the information before the announcement which should be probed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

The government put up a strong defence in Rajya Sabha on demonetisation, saying the step was taken in national interest to end corruption and black money, which it is said is also used for terror activities in the country.

Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and leaders of three other parties today sought President Pranab Mukherjees intervention over the problems faced by people following the "financial calamity" unleashed by the demonetisation move.