Politics · India · 6 hrs ago
Congress says demonetisation hurt economy and ‘votebandi’ harms Indian politics
Congress accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of damaging India’s economy and political system.
The criticism came on Sunday, the 10th anniversary of the demonetisation announcement.
In 2016, Modi announced that ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes would no longer be legal currency.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called the move “notebandi” and said it had devastated the economy.
He also used “votebandi” to describe what Congress says is harm to India’s political system.
Congress has repeatedly condemned demonetisation, saying it failed to meet the government’s stated aims; no next step was announced.
Congress said demonetisation damaged India’s economy and alleged that “votebandi” is harming its political system.
The party said both were contributions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress general secretary for communications Jairam Ramesh made the remarks on November 8, 2026.
The comments came on the 10th anniversary of Modi’s announcement of demonetisation.
In 2016, the policy withdrew high-value ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes.
- Who
- Congress, through general secretary for communications Jairam Ramesh, criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- Congress said demonetisation devastated the economy and “votebandi” is destroying the polity.
- When
- November 8, 2026, the 10th anniversary of the demonetisation announcement.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The remarks marked the anniversary and referred to a media report describing demonetisation as a disaster and a failure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and announced demonetisation of ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes.
Congress criticised demonetisation and said “votebandi” was harming the political system.
- Anniversary
- 10 years after demonetisation was announced
- Withdrawn denominations
- ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes
- Congress spokesperson
- Jairam Ramesh
- Announcement date
- November 8, 2016
What people are saying
Notebandi devastated the economy. Votebandi is destroying the polity. Both are the contributions of the PM.