The first day of the winter session of Parliament saw an interesting turn of events, with the Shiv Sena, a key member of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre and long-term BJP ally, joining Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Omar Abdullah of the National Conference and Bhagwant Mann from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in a protest march to President Pranab Mukherjee.
“The sudden currency ban by the Narendra Modi government has caused immense hardship to the common man. We are joining because as a regional party, we want to express out solidarity,” said Anandrao Adsul, Shiv Sena MP, who was joined by his other party colleagues.
Wearing placards saying “Withdraw Financial Emergency”, the party leaders marched to the President, demanding immediate withdrawal of the demonetsation move that has so far claimed 25 lives across the country.
Banerjee, who is Chief Minister of West Bengal, had approached all Opposition parties, including arch rival CPI(M) for a joint protest, both of whom felt that the issue should first be raised in Parliament.
"We will take the voice of people to the President," Banerjee said on Monday, adding: "The Congress, CPI(M) can go later. It’s their choice. No point in the doctor coming after death."
Earlier, lashing out at the Narendra Modi government, Congress leader Veerappa Moily said: “The economic and political fallout of this will be immense. This will be Modi’s undoing,”
He said the Centre should put money back in circulation. “All money in circulation is not black. This government has withdrawn 80-80 per cent of money in circulation, which has shaken people’s faith in the banking system. You cannot sustain an economy by force,” Moily added.