Oppn puts onus on PM Modi to convene meeting on demonetization

A united opposition parties on Thursday asserted that it is ready for discussion on the Centre's demonetisation move provided Prime Minister Narendra Modi convenes a meeting to discuss the same.

"The Parliamentary Affairs Minister telephoned me yesterday and said that they wanted to meet in Rajnath Singh ji's house. But I told that all the political parties together have taken a decision. Therefore, it is better that all parties should meet together," Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, told the media.

Kharge stated that they can arrive at a consensus on the matter only after discussion with the opposition party leaders.

"If the Prime Minister or the Speaker calls for a meeting, we would definitely go. We will first meet the opposition (leaders) and then decide whether we will go to the meeting called by the Home Minister. Let the Prime Minister or the Speaker call for the meeting," he added.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the opposition leaders is currently underway in Parliament to chalk out strategy to end the ongoing logjam over the demonetisation move.

A meeting is also underway at Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's chamber in Parliament.

Union Ministers Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu and Ananth Kumar are among those present in the meeting.

As the government attempts to find a truce with a united opposition, which has disrupted both the Houses of Parliament since the beginning of the Winter Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today attend the Rajya Sabha and is likely to participate in the discussion on demonetisation.

Since the first day of the Winter Session, the opposition leaders are calling for the Prime Minister to speak on the issue in Rajya Sabha, where the government does not enjoy majority.

Even though most of them support the government's move on fight against black money, they are protesting against the abrupt manner in which the ruling dispensation implemented demonetisation as even after third week of the announcement, long queues can be seen outside ATMs and banks with the people looking to either exchange or deposit old notes.

Rejecting the demand of opposition parties to roll back the decision on demonetisation, Naidu yesterday said the nation has supported the government's step to unearth black money, adding the decision has been taken keeping in view the welfare of the farmers and the marginalised sections of society.

He said that Prime Minister Modi took a bold decision to curb black money by invalidating the currency notes of 500 and 1,000 denominations.