Demonetisation: Opposition unites to attack government on note ban

New Delhi: The demonetisation woes of the common man has united India’s Opposition parties. In a major step that signalled Opposition unity, at least on this issue, the Congress and seven other Opposition parties, including West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamul Congress, decided to corner the government in Parliament’s Winter Session, that starts on Wednesday.

The leaders of the Congress, TMC, RJD, JD(U), CPI, CPI(M), JMM and YSR Congress met in the room of Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad at Parliament House on Monday evening and decided the issue would be raised on Wednesday, the first day of the session. Leading the demonetisation charge is West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, who is expected to arrive in Delhi on Tuesday, on the eve of the session, and lead a delegation to meet President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday. On Monday, Ms Banerjee lashed out at the PM over his statement at the Ghazipur rally that the poor were “enjoying a sound sleep” after the demonetisation, saying it was an “insult” to ordinary people across the country. She claimed the masses had been victimised and crushed under the weight of demonetisation, while many economists were now predicting the onset of a recession.

Other Opposition leaders such as BSP chief Mayawati and AAP boss Arvind Kejriwal have also criticised the government’s move and are devising their own strategies to target the Centre. BSP supremo Mayawati lashed out at PM Modi, saying the people were being forced to face “burey din” (bad days). Stung by Mr Modi’s reference to “garlands of notes”, Ms Mayawati unleashed a no-holds-barred attack on Monday, alleging that the PM could not “tolerate” the fact that a “dalit ki beti” (daughter of a dalit) was presented such a garland. She also called Mr Modi’s Ghazipur rally a “flop show”, claiming that “the crowd was brought in from neighbouring Bihar”.

The confrontation between the government and the Opposition is expected to start from the first day of the session. Deputy Opposition leader in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said “there is a broad consensus that has emerged among the Opposition parties that demonetisation should be raised”. The Congress accused the government of having unleashed “economic anarchy” and “tax terrorism” across the country.

The government had advanced the dates of the Winter Session in order to pass the enabling legislation to roll out GST from the next financial year. But with the current political slugfest over demonetisation being played out, the government will have to display some clever footwork if it wants the smooth passage of crucial bills.