Both the Houses of Parliament witnessed ruckus over the withdrawal of high value notes.
While the second day of discussion on demonetisation was disrupted in the Rajya Sabha, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day after pandemonium broke out, with the Opposition demanding a debate on the currency chaos in the country under Rule 54 that entails division of votes. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan agreed to discuss the issue only under Rule 193.
In the morning, a largely united Opposition, barring the BJD, walked to the well of the House, demanding that their separate adjournment motions be accepted. The AIADMK stormed to the well in both the Houses, demanding a resolution to Kaveri dispute.
The Opposition refused to give in after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the government is willing to debate the issue under Rule 193, as it did not want two voices to emerge from Parliament. This led to the Speaker adjourning the House after a 25-minute adjournment earlier.
In the Rajya Sabha, too, the Opposition disrupted the proceedings, demanding the Prime Minister’s presence during the debate.
The debate could not be continued as the Opposition leaders demanded that the PM should be present.
In the Parliament premises, BSP leader Mayawati told reporters: “All Opposition parties have decided not to go ahead with the debate over the demonetisation unless Modiji comes to the house. If he is serious about the people, then he must come and speak.”
The Upper House witnessed a sharp clash after Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad made certain comments linking Uri terror attack casualties to the deaths during the demonetisation “crisis”, which the ruling side termed as “anti-national”.
“People are suffering because of demonetisation. The death toll has reached 40. In the attack by Pakistani terrorists in Uri, even half the deaths did not take place. People...have died due to the wrong policy of the government,” he said.
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu, who was not in the House, rushed to his seat and condemned Azad’s remarks.
“The LoP (Azad), by taking name of Pakistan, has given a certificate to Pakistan. This is shameful. Countrymen are angry...The comment is atrocious, objectionable and anti-national,” he said as BJP members created uproar.“Pakistan will use this statement. I request the Chair, please get it deleted.”
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal warned the Centre of a revolution if the decision is not withdrawn in three days.
The duo met with RBI officials here. “We are here to check whether there is enough cash to disburse among the people,” Mamata said.