Bengaluru: The ruling Congress workers today staged a protest here observing as a “black day” against demonetisation as party leaders launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led NDA government, slamming it of failing to bring back black money within 100 days.

The party workers led by AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, in charge of party affairs in Karnataka, and Karnataka PCC president G Parameshwara, marched from Anand Rao Circle to Freedom Park, where they addressed a rally.

“The note ban was projected as a surgical strike on terrorism and black money but eventually it turned out to be a strike on the common man,” Venugopal said.

State Congress working president Dinesh Gundu Rao said distinguishing between black and white money has become difficult as 99 per cent of the banned notes have returned to the system.

Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy slammed the government for its ‘failure’ to bring back black money within 100 days.

“Forget bringing back black money, the Centre could not provide figures on the amount of black money stashed abroad.

The economy has nosedived today, which was booming when Dr Manmohan Singh was our prime minister,” Reddy said.

Congress workers staged protest in different parts of the state such as Haveri, Hassan, Shivamogga and Mysuru against demonetisation.