Congress, BJP exchange barbs over cash crisis

The cash crunch in nearly eight states has ignited a political war between the Congress and BJP.

It all began after Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan indicated an Opposition-engineered conspiracy behind the crisis. The Congress hit back saying that the demonetisation had made India "cashless" at the expense of the BJP and its friends who have become "cash rich". "Who are the persons creating shortfall? This is a conspiracy to create problems but government will act tough," said Chouhan.

In a counterattack, Congress president Rahul Gandhi attributed it all to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Modi ji has destroyed the banking system. Nirav Modi fled with Rs 30,000 crore & PM didn't utter a word. We were forced to stand in queues as he snatched 500-1000 rupee notes from our pockets & put in Nirav Modi's pocket."

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley took to Twitter to soothe frayed tempers. "Over all there is more than adequate currency in circulation and also available with the Banks. The temporary shortage caused by 'sudden and unusual increase' in some areas is being tackled quickly."