Shatrughan Sinha now salutes Modi

Shatrughan Sinha says that just because he publicly disagrees with his party, the BJP, on virtually every major decision it takes, don’t assume that he is at cross purposes with it.

“I have been with the party for the last 28 years and don’t know where these people were then, but they comment on me just to garner some publicity,” he said to ndtv.com, referring to a top BJP leader in Bihar, Mangal Pandey who suggested that Mr Sinha should consider joining the Congress since he appears so discontent with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to withdraw 500- and 1,000-rupee notes.

Mr Sinha, a former movie star known for his theatrical delivery, said his criticism of demonetisation has been misunderstood. “I salute the PM for his timely, bold, wise and great step but feel that his team has let down him,” said the 66year-old, reiterating that women and rural India are being punished with the sudden withdrawal of 86 percent of the notes that were in circulation.

Just two days ago, Mr Sinha, who represents Patna in parliament, tweeted about “planted surveys” placing subscribers in “fools’ paradise,” an unsubtle dart thrown at a poll conducted by PM Modi on his official app that showed most people back his reform, aimed at eradicating black money and corruption.

He said to ndtv.com that to quickly rescue a worrying crisis that has left rural India precariously placed without any cash, the PM should form an advisory committee headed by BJP veteran LK Advani with former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha as a member.