Opposition to continue offensive over demonetisation

Discussions also took place on meeting the President after the dharna, but no final decision could be arrived at.

Opposition parties are seen marching from Parliament House to Rashtrapati Bhawan to present a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee against demonetisation move, in New Delhi. File photo: Shanker Chakravarty

There is likely to be no let up in Opposition’s protest over the demonetisation issue in the second week of the Winter Session of Parliament.

At a meeting of opposition parties this morning, it was decided that they will continue to press for an adjournment motion on demonetisation amid suggestions that House may begin discussions under a separate rule which does not entail voting and moving a formal motion.

“The meeting at the outset noted with concern the insensitivity of the government regarding the train accident.

On an earlier occasion, the Prime Minister had rushed to an accident site in Kerala. But on Sunday he was in Agra and did not go to the site,” said CPI(M) leader Mohd Salim.

He said the opposition would also press for an obituary and adjournment of proceedings as a mark of respect for the people who are said to have died standing in queues at banks and ATMs victims.

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge agreed that there is no precedent but added that the opposition would still press for it.

He also said the opposition may organise a dharna on the issue of demonetisation at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue outside Parliament House but a final call could be taken this evening or tomorrow.

Discussions also took place on meeting the President after the dharna, but no final decision could be arrived at.

“The PM can speak on Cold Play but not address the Opposition on demonetisation, demands for a JPC on (alleged) leakage of demonetisation information to some corporates and deaths of people standing in queue to get money from banks and ATMs,” said Mr. Salim.