Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continue to be at the forefront of the Opposition attack on the demonetisation drive even as other political parties are more or less demanding effective implementation rather than a rollback of the scheme altogether.
A day after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley ruled out rolling back demonetisation, Kejriwal said the decision taken by a government that has “lost connect” with people smacked of “insensitivity”. Mamata accused the Centre of making “action-less announcements”.
In a TV interview, Kejriwal countered the BJP’s narrative of demonetisation as a proof of a citizen’s
Mamata, along with Kejriwal, had on Thursday set a deadline of three days to the Narendra Modi government to roll back the demonetisation decision, warning of “widespread unrest” if the current “chaos” continues.
“I am very sad that FM has plainly refused to even review and consider rollback. Modi govt has lost connect with people n has become very insensitive,” Kejriwal tweeted.
The AAP chief also took on bhakts (a term loosely used to describe fanatic supporters) of Modi for allegedly intimidating voices who oppose the scheme. “Modi bhakts are resorting to thuggery in the open. They indulge in sloganeering in Modi’s name. Don’t be scared of them. Reply and shut them up,” he tweeted.
Concrete suggestionsThe West Bengal CM, on her part, said the Centre should allow the old ₹500 notes to remain in circulation along with new notes to help the common people. Also, ₹100, ₹50 and ₹10 notes must be made easily available.“We are looking for a solution. I have some concrete suggestions which will help restore normalcy and help all people who are suffering,” she said in a statement.
“The ₹1,000 notes may be withdrawn when circulation improves by December 30, or at your discretion,” she said, adding there is no need for any more “ faltu , action-less announcements. Sometimes blunders lead to more blunders,” she said.