Jan Aakrosh Diwas was a 'complete flop': Naidu

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday described 'Jan Aakrosh Diwas', an opposition protest rally against the Centre's demonetisation move, as a 'complete flop'.

Naidu told the media, "I have experience of 20 years of Parliament and I am unable to understand the demands of the opposition parties. Our opposition had given us a notice for debate on the issue of black money and demonetisation. Congress leaders participated in the debate and all of a sudden they are no more part of debate and are creating ruckus and are not letting parliament function."

"Their protest on demonetisation was complete flop and people made fun of them. They declared bandh... And then, the Aakrosh rally was also flop and nobody except their party workers participated in the rally...this protest was a flop because people are happy," Naidu added.

Naidu further said, "The decision taken by Modiji is historic and revolutionary. That is why people are happy and not participating in such rallies, there are some difficulties, but people are ready to face them, as demonetisation would help people grow."

The nation-wide shutdown called by Left parties on Monday to protest against demonetisation evoked a lukewarm response in the capital, with major political parties such as the Congress and the AAP holding separate protest rallies and marches.

The 12-hour shutdown called by six Left parties, including the CPI and the CPM, was aimed at staging demonstrations outside the RBI buildings and SBI branches. But it ended in a march from Mandi House to Parliament Street police station. Trade unions, too, held rallies, but most markets remained open.