Demonetization has dealt a blow to left-wing extremism, insurgency, terrorism: Rajnath Singh

Demonetization has dealt a blow to Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), insurgency and terrorism, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday and claimed that the note ban decision was "highly appreciated" by the common people of the country. "Demonetization decision has been highly appreciated by the masses of the country. We are getting support from the common people on demonetization because the decision was taken in the interest of the nation. This decision has also affected the Maoists, insurgent forces and other terrorist forces," he told mediapersons at the foundation-stone laying ceremony of the National Disaster Response Force's 10th battalion near Vijayawada.

Asked if LWE was just down or down and out, the Union home minister said, "You can understand it yourself. Maoist activity has definitely come down by approximately 55-60%. In the northeast, insurgency has come down by approximately 75%," Singh claimed.

To a question on the possible impact of demonetization on the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh and other states, he asserted that BJP would do well in all the states. "Elections will be good. We will win the elections. In Uttar Pradesh, we will get a clear majority... in Uttarakhand also. In other states too BJP will get a clear majority," he claimed. "We are getting support from common people on demonetization issue. The income disparity between the poor and the rich will reduce...," Singh said.