Bhubaneswar, Jan. 18: Hundreds of Congress workers led by former Lok Sabha Speaker Shivraj Patil today staged a demonstration in front of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) office here protesting against demonetisation and the Centre's alleged role in destroying the RBI's autonomy.

The demonstration was part of the party's countrywide protest on the issue.

Addressing the demonstrators, Patil said: "We have a right to oppose the Narendra Modi government's decision to sanction loans at low interest rates to people who have already withdrawn Rs 8 lakh crore from banks and have not utilised them properly."

He added: "The common man has not benefited from demonetisation. The middle class has been the worst sufferer. Now, the money deposited in banks will be given to the rich few. What have the people got out it?"

Patil said: "Everyone wants that black money stashed away at various places should be unearthed and utilised for the benefit of the poor. But the way it is being done is wrong. People had to wait in long queues to take their own money out of the banks. This had never happened before."

Though Patil was critical of the RBI's role in demonetisation, he refrained from making a direct attack at RBI governor Urjit Patel. Patil sidestepped questions on the Naveen Patnaik government's support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to scrap high value currency. "Why should I comment against Naveen? I am here for two hours only. Don't try to put words in my mouth," he said.

The Congress leaders, who took part in the agitation, questioned the utility of the demonetisation move. "With 97 per cent of the old currency already re-deposited in the banks, will the RBI and the Modi government answer where the black money has gone?" asked a party leader.

Demanding the resignation of the RBI governor, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Prasad Harichandan said: "The Modi government sent an advisory to RBI on November 7 last year asking it to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes. On November 8, 2016, the RBI board met and accepted the proposal. This reflects complete non-application of mind by RBI bosses and the total surrender of the institution's autonomy before the Modi government."

The Congress leaders also made it clear that demonetisation would be one of their major planks in the panchayat polls. Leader of the Opposition Narasingha Mishra said: "Without consulting experts, Modi took the decision, which has hit the poor badly. Nothing has changed after 70 days of demonetisation."

State BJP chief Basant Panda defended the Centre's decision. "Those who have looted the country are now shedding crocodile tears for the poor. They are deliberately trying to politicise the issue. But the people have supported the move and will see through their game," he said.