'Test of patriotism', tweets BJP's Ram Madhav amid scramble for cash withdrawal, currency exchange at banks, ATMs

New Delhi: As people formed serpentine queues overnight outside ATMs and banks to withdraw cash and exchange old currency notes, senior BJP leader Ram Madhav tweeted on Tuesday about "patriotism" in testing times.

"Test of patriotism is in difficult times only. We see it abundantly these days. Otherwise everyone is an armchair-patriot in normal times," Madhav tweeted.

Test of patriotism is in difficult times only. We see it abundantly these days. Otherwise everyone is an armchair-patriot in normal times

— Ram Madhav (@rammadhavbjp) November 15, 2016

Ram Madhav's tweeting is evoking sharp reactions from Twitter users with supporting the move while some questioning its efficacy.

This comes at a time when the Centre government has directed the RBI and all other banks to ensure that there is no shortage of cash and help the common man in the shortest possible time.

Making an emotional appeal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has too urged the citizens to bear with him for "50 days".

"I am aware you are facing difficulties... I understand the inconvenience," he said while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh on Monday.

"I am really pained by the inconvenience and that is why I am working tirelessly to help people overcome this situation."

Meanwhile, the opposition has united to corner government in Parliament which convenes tomorrow for its Winter Session over what it calls the immense hardship for the common man.

At a strategy meeting in Parliament held yesterday, the PM told his ministers that the country supports the move and the government need not be defensive.

While announcing the ban on the highest currency notes last Tuesday, the Prime Minister said tough measures were needed to bring undeclared wealth into the mainstream economy.

The government has announced measures to ease the crunch.

The weekly withdrawal limit from banks has been raised from Rs. 20,000 to 24,000. A network of banking agents, who travel to rural areas to provide people with access to banking services, will carry more cash.

The use of old notes has been extended till November 24 at government hospitals, private clinics, petrol stations and essential services.

The banned notes can be exchanged for new ones or deposited in a bank account until December 30.