The first anniversary of the Union government’s demonetisation drive was observed as a ‘black day’ by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) separately here on Wednesday even as the BJP marked it as an ‘anti-black money day’.
The LDF took out a march to the regional office of the State Bank of India (SBI) at Mananchira. Inaugurating the protest, CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for demonetising high-value currency, alleging that Mr. Modi was acting as if he was an agent of companies promoting digital transactions. UDF activists took out a march to the Kozhikode beach wearing black bands and staged a protest. Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy were present.
Samskara Sahiti, the cultural wing of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, staged a street play on the sidelines of the Padayorukkam campaign undertaken by Mr. Chennithala. The Muslim Youth League organised a ‘fool’s day’ to mark the occasion. A man dressed up as Mr. Modi was taken around the beach and “pushed to the sea.”
Indian Forthright Movement staged a protest at the Kidson Cornor.
They “symbolically” hanged an LPG cylinder and raised placards criticising demonetisation.
Meanwhile, the BJP held public meetings and took out rallies in all Assembly constituencies in support of the drive against black money.
