Invoking the memories of those who died in queues due to demonetisation, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday reiterated that November 8, 2016 was a black day for the country’s economy and democracy.

“I invoke memories of more than 100 people who lost their lives while standing in queues as a result of demonetisation,” he said in his address to professionals and businessmen of Surat in poll-bound Gujarat.

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“I say with immense pain and a sense of deep responsibility that the 8th of November was a black day for our economy and democracy,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said the previous UPA government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the “most corrupt” and “leaderless”.

In a press conference in Surat, ahead of the first phase of Gujarat polls on December 9, Jaitley said during the ten years of Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre, it was said that the PM is a PM in office but not in power.

“The 10 years of governance before Modi Ji’s govt was the most corrupt govt we have ever seen. It was a leaderless govt. It was said that the then PM is a PM in office but not in power,” Jaitley said.

Noting that while BJP had maintained its credibility, and Congress was slowly becoming extinct, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said unlike previous regime, the present government was undertaking reforms by conviction.

The assembly polls in Gujarat will be held on December 9 and 14. The results for the 182-member assembly will be declared on December 18.