The Centre has launched a “crusade” against corruption and black money by scrapping old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, seeking support from a united Opposition that looks set to corner his government in Parliament this winter session.
But his rivals showed no signs of relenting and called last week’s decision ill-prepared and hasty that caused “economic chaos”, indicating that the session beginning Wednesday might see several disruptions.
“We have launched a crusade against corruption, black money and fake currency, which is also behind cross-border terrorism. All parties should come together on this issue of national interest,” Modi said at an all-party meeting.
Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar briefed reporters and said: “The government is ready for discussion on all issues.”
Later, a separate meeting of the Union ministers was held.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi told reporters in Mumbai that the move was taken without much deliberation. He also said the inconvenience faced by people had to be addressed immediately, stressing there could be a scam behind the move.
After the all-party meeting in Delhi, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said: “There is not a single person in this country who is not suffering due to demonetisation.”
“Opposition will be united, come what may, and will raise issues together.”
Azad, leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, alleged that the government’s decision to invalidate Rs 1000, Rs 500 notes was leaked in advance to some people, including BJP leaders, and called it probably the “biggest scam”.
At a meeting of 13 opposition parties, including arch-rivals Trinamool and CPI(M), opposition leaders unanimously concluded that it was too early to visit the President on the issue which must first be raised adequately in parliamentary forums.
But for her part, Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said earlier in the day that her party will go ahead with its plans to meet the President. Representatives of the National Conference and the AAP are likely to accompany the Trinamool delegation.
BJP ally Shiv Sena is in talks with Banerjee, who has been a staunch opponent of the demonetisation move, over issues that affect the common man, a Sena leader said.
Various parties have separately given adjournment notices in Lok Sabha and for suspension of proceedings in Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue and highlight the plight of the common man.
“As an opposition party, we must have a march in due course of time, but not on the very first day. On the first day of Parliament, we must hold a discussion inside the House.
“There was an overwhelming consensus that there is no need to rush to Rashtrapati Bhawan on the very first day before bringing this issue before Parliament,” Congress’s Azad said.
The government is struggling to deal with the deluge of people lined up to exchange or deposit cash after PM Modi announced a surprise recall of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes last Tuesday.
The move was aimed at draining illegal wealth from the economy but has caused massive hardships for ordinary citizens, especially in remote areas with a little financial network.
Source:- Hindustan Times.
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