Opposition plans common agenda against note ban
New Delhi, Dec 28, 2016, DHNS:
A fractured Opposition on Tuesday declared that it would work towards a “common agenda” to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the “failed” demonetisation exercise and allegations of graft against him.
Leaders of eight political parties – the Congress, Trinamool, DMK, JD(S), RJD, JMM, IUML and the AIUDF – addressed a press conference here to question the demonetisation decision “forced” on the country by Modi.
“Will you take responsibility for the failure and resign?” asked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, adding that 47 of the 50 days requested by Modi to restore normalcy were over.
She highlighted demonetisation and corruption as issues around which a common agenda could be forged by the Opposition. “We can work together in the future,” she said, flanked by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge, DMK leader Tiruchi Siva and RJD leader Jayprakash Narain Yadav among others.
Earlier, the leaders of the eight parties met to discuss a common minimum programme for protests against demonetisation in the new year. There were suggestions of having joint pressers across the country to highlight the “failure” of the demonetisation exercise as well as the allegations of “personal corruption” by the prime minister.
Rahul played down the absence of the leaders from the CPM, NCP, JD(U), CPI and the AIADMK at the joint presser citing “local compulsions”.
“Opposition unity is a process...Broadly everyone is taking a common line – demonetisation is a failed exercise.” Rahul told reporters.
Egged on by reporters, a reluctant Rahul also echoed the demand made by Banerjee, who stole the show at the joint press conference.
“If he doesn't resign, we will put pressure on him to resign,” the Congress vice president said to a volley of questions over Banerjee’s demand for Modi's resignation.
DMK leader Siva accused Modi of pushing the country into a financial crisis by forcing the note ban decision without prior planning.
Leaders of eight political parties – the Congress, Trinamool, DMK, JD(S), RJD, JMM, IUML and the AIUDF – addressed a press conference here to question the demonetisation decision “forced” on the country by Modi.
“Will you take responsibility for the failure and resign?” asked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, adding that 47 of the 50 days requested by Modi to restore normalcy were over.
She highlighted demonetisation and corruption as issues around which a common agenda could be forged by the Opposition. “We can work together in the future,” she said, flanked by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge, DMK leader Tiruchi Siva and RJD leader Jayprakash Narain Yadav among others.
Earlier, the leaders of the eight parties met to discuss a common minimum programme for protests against demonetisation in the new year. There were suggestions of having joint pressers across the country to highlight the “failure” of the demonetisation exercise as well as the allegations of “personal corruption” by the prime minister.
Rahul played down the absence of the leaders from the CPM, NCP, JD(U), CPI and the AIADMK at the joint presser citing “local compulsions”.
“Opposition unity is a process...Broadly everyone is taking a common line – demonetisation is a failed exercise.” Rahul told reporters.
Egged on by reporters, a reluctant Rahul also echoed the demand made by Banerjee, who stole the show at the joint press conference.
“If he doesn't resign, we will put pressure on him to resign,” the Congress vice president said to a volley of questions over Banerjee’s demand for Modi's resignation.
DMK leader Siva accused Modi of pushing the country into a financial crisis by forcing the note ban decision without prior planning.
No comments:
Post a Comment