After Catch News reporterd that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party went on a land-buying spree before Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a ban on rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, social media users registered strong reactions on Friday morning.
READ: Before Modi banned Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes BJP was busy investing in real estate
Politicians, academicians, scholars, social and legal activists used microblogging website Twitter to question Modi's demonetisation scheme after the report exposed how BJP's Bihar unit bought several parcels of land up to the first week of November, just before high-denomination currency notes were withdrawn on November 8.
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal was among the first to react to the news.
This is really shocking. BJP ne apna paisa thikaane laga liya. Shameful. https://t.co/WkkwQimbP9
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 25, 2016
"this is really shocking. BJP ne apna paisa thikaane laga liya. Shameful."
Kejriwal's party colleague and senior AAP leader Ashutosh used Twitter to demand a probe into this alleged financial misdemeanour.
This is big scam. It should be probed. Amit Shah's role should be investigated/Modi is also involved in this. https://t.co/hcUFPFpCVk
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) November 25, 2016
Sanjay Singh of AAP expressed his outrage on Twitter. He questioned Modi's claim that black money hoarders did not get enough time to hide their ill gotten wealth.
मोदी जी ने कहा "कालाधन वालों को तैयारी का मौक़ा नही मिला" तो ये क्या है मोदी जी ? https://t.co/pe4B9lat6Q #IndiaAgainstBJP
— Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) November 25, 2016
A similar tweet was posted by the official handle of Janata Dal (United), the party of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
#BJP bought land worth crores just before note ban. Clearly note ban was not a secret for @BJP4India & its leaders
#BJP bought land worth crores just before note ban. Clearly note ban was not a secret for @BJP4India & its leadershttps://t.co/4X4Pwsbk0s
— Janata Dal (United) (@JanatadalU) November 25, 2016
Prashant Bhushan, senior legal activist and member of Swaraj Abhiyan, also expressed his shock on Twitter.
Shocking!BJP made large land purchases just before Noteban.Seems clear that BJP foretold to invest it's black money!https://t.co/xtZfDmccIL
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) November 25, 2016
Congress spokesperson Salman Soz demanded Prime Minister's reaction to Catch's story.
.@narendramodi & @AmitShah must respond to serious allegations: BJP's large bank deposits & now land purchases before #demonetisation https://t.co/zxvfqFneHq
— Salman Anees Soz (@SalmanSoz) November 25, 2016
Priyanka Chaturvedi, another party spokesperson also posted a Twitter comment on this story:
'Modiji and truth, rarely go together. Secrecy a sham?'
Modiji and truth, rarely go together. Secrecy a sham? https://t.co/uwLL8LTaIt
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) November 25, 2016
Another Congress leader Pawan Khera asked: 'What should we call this? #DeMonetisationScam or #LandScam or something else?'
What should we call this? #DeMonetisationScam or #LandScam or something else? https://t.co/Bm4BFaqCqP
— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) November 25, 2016
Social activist and former AAP convenor Anjali Damania raised questions about propriety issues of BJP president, one of the people in whose name land was bought in Bihar.
BJP and BJP National President bought land in Bihar thro MLAs & many other states till 1 wk before demonetization? https://t.co/xBmNxLxtzN
— Mrs Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) November 25, 2016
Noted agricultural activist Devinder Sharma also acknowledged the issue:
First published: 25 November 2016, 12:56 ISTनोटबंदी से ठीक पहले भाजपा ने देश भर में करोड़ों की जमीनें खरीदीं https://t.co/e9PmguIJGQ via @CatchHindi
— Devinder Sharma (@Devinder_Sharma) November 25, 2016