Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has said the demonetisation was “the result of an individual’s whimsicality and arrogance” and added that the BJP-led Centre should apologise for the “economic emergency” the move perpetrated.

“It was the first such massive demonetisation imposed on independent India as an economic emergency. It has finally been proved that the demonetisation was the result of an individual’s whimsicality and arrogance,” the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister told reporters in Lucknow on Friday, a day after the second anniversary of the note purge announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Perhaps we will never see the promised results of this immaturely implemented decision,” she added.

Mayawati said the BJP government “should shed its arrogance and openly seek an apology” from the people “for the economic emergency, which was a national disaster”.

The BSP chief pointed out that none of the stated goals of the demonetisation had been achieved, adding that only the BJP and those close to the party had gained illegally.

“It was a painful decision for the people of the country. It broke the backbone of the working class and affected employment avenues. But those who are patronised by the BJP and Co. converted their black money into white by depositing it into their bank accounts. Even the BJP earned unlimited wealth across the country,” Mayawati alleged.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also criticised the demonetisation.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister tweeted in Hindi: “(Modi) had sought 50 days but two years have passed. The people are still waiting for an answer (from the government) about what the country achieved from the demonetisation except the harm it caused to businesses and the increasing unemployment. The government should explain who pocketed the benefits (of the demonetisation) if it claims that the decision was a success.”

While announcing the demonetisation, the Prime Minister had sought 50 days for things to return to normal.