AMN / New Delhi
To mark one month of the announcement of demonetisation,Opposition leaders in Parliament today observed a ‘Black Day’ in Parliament premises.
Besides Congress, leaders of all opposition parties including TMC, CPI(M), CPI, JD(U), Samajwadi Party joined the protest wearing black band on their arms.
Rahul Gandhi launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his “foolish decision” has “devastated” the country.
Leading the protest, Gandhi accused Modi of shying away from having a discussion on the issue in Parliament, but stressed that opposition parties will “not let him run away” from both Houses, where “everything will become clear” once the Prime Minister takes part in debate.
He said the Prime Minister is “having nice time” and has over the past one month “changed his narrative” on the issue while people are reeling under hardships.
“The Prime Minister so called bold decision can also be a foolish decision. And this was a foolish decision, it has devastated the country. More than 100 people have died. Farmers, fishermen, daily wage earners have been hit hard” Rahul said.
“He (the Prime Minister) is laughing. He is having a nice time, while the people of the country are suffering,” Gandhi said.
“So, he is switching from one issue to another. And we are going to catch him inside the House. He is not going to be able to run inside the House,” he said.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s cashless economy talk, Gandhi said, “There is this concept of PayTM. Pay to Modi, that’s the idea behind cashless economy. That’s few people should get maximum benefit from cash transactions.
Naidu slams opposition for its protest
Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu today launched a criticism on opposition for its protest outside Parliament terming it as a photo-op and drama. Mr Naidu alleged that the opposition observing black day against the demonetization is actually, what he called, a black money supporting move.
Speaking to media outside Parliament, he said, it is an insult to Parliament as these parties are not allowing both the Houses to function and protesting outside. Mr. Naidu alleged that the entire opposition move, particularly of the Congress is against the very principles of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar urged the opposition for the debate on demonetization if it is serious. He said, it is sad that they are not allowing Parliament to function and are protesting outside. He alleged that such a protest is only for media attention.