Reddy celebrated fest of black money when poor suffered: HD Deve Gowda

Bengaluru: While lauding demonetisation as “a bold step to counter black money”, former Prime Minister Mr H.D. Deve Gowda came down heavily on the “crude and pompous display of wealth” by a BJP leader (former minister Gali Janardhan Reddy).

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Gowda said: “While millions of common people faced inconvenience, your colleague celebrated a festival of black money.”

Mr Gowda was referring to the extravagant marriage of former BJP minister Mr Gali Janardhan Reddy's daughter Ms Brahmini which was attended by several BJP leaders and even Congressmen.

“I am writing this letter to congratulate you like every citizen would for the bold step you have taken to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. If this step is able to stop the demon of black money, the nation will ever be grateful to you. For once, my head and my heart thought of supporting you,” Mr Gowda said.

Stating that the move has, however, put the common people in hardship, Mr Gowda said the poor are heeding the PM’s emotional call and going without food and essentials. They have postponed their needs and even sowing of crops.

However, the common people witnessed a crude and pompous display of wealth, which mocked at their plight. “Mr Gali Janardhan Reddy, erstwhile minister of your party's government in Karnataka has spent more than Rs 200 crore on a lavish wedding. Your colleagues from BJP were wallowing in this crude display of wealth of one of their own, who was jailed for illegal mining. As you called for sacrifice, your colleagues celebrated a festival of black money,” Mr Gowda said.