Patna: RJD chief Lalu Yadav who had earlier locked horns with the Prime Minister over the demonetisation issue, on Wednesday launched a protest against the Centre’s move in Patna and all district headquarters of the state. The protest, however, was skipped by the JD (U) and Congress party.
Mr Yadav in an attempt to downplay the differences said that a massive rally will be his next move against Modi government and said, “I have not been isolated as Congress is also against demonetisation.”
Dubbing the demonetisation policy as “anti-farmer and anti-poor”, Mr Yadav said that a large number of people who had migrated to other cities as daily wage earners have returned to their villages.
The absence of JD (U) and Congress from the protest also indicated a division within the grand secular alliance in Bihar over the issue of demonetisation.
“The economy has collapsed and people are being harassed unnecessarily due to improper implementation of demonetisation policy,” RJD chief Lalu Yadav said, while addressing his party workers during the protest in Patna.
He said, “People have been cheated as Mr Modi failed in his promises to bring back black money from Swiss bank.”
He also thanked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee for opposing demonetization.
RJD is the single largest party in Bihar and a key constituent in the grand secular alliance government along with JD (U) and Congress. Congress had pulled out at the last minute citing personal reasons while JD (U) said that “the party will review its stand after the deadline is over”.
Expressing disappointment and anger over leaving RJD isolated in its fight against demonetization senior RJD leader and legislator Bhai Birendra said, “those who have neglected the issues of common man will face serious consequences in future”. Lalu had earlier blamed “ego of some leaders as a big hurdle”.
