Swamy corners Congress, says no question of rolling back demonetization

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy on Monday said that a "majority-led" Central Government would never pay heed to the "minor" opposition parties' demand for roll back of the demonetisation scheme.

"There is no question of rolling back demonetisation because it is the terrorist forces who have suffered great loss. And as far as their (opposition) demand is concerned, we are a majority government and we don't run on their support. Besides, we have promised that we will get rid of the black money menace. It is in fact amusing to even hear their demands," Swamy told ANI.

While seeking his response to the opposition parties' decision to sit in protest outside the Parliament on Wednesday, Swamy said, "It will be a good exercise for them. We will not listen to them because it was only under the Congress regime that the black money market flourished, it was because of Nehru's inclination towards socialism that created license raj and helped the black money market to thrive."

Swamy, however, conceded that the Finance Ministry has been lax on their part and urged them to take responsibility of the currency crunch.

Earlier, Trinamool Congress (TMC) member Derek O' Brien told ANI that the opposition parties, consisting of around 200 parliamentarians, would jointly hold dharna in front of Gandhi statue on Wednesday.

The decision to protest came after the Lok Sabha saw repeated adjournments for the day as the opposition parties escalated their attack on the government over the demonetisation move.

The opposition parties have also demanded that the Parliament condole the death of those who they allege have died because of the cash crunch after demonetisation.

"The 70 people, who have died standing in queues at banks, deserve a tribute," said Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad.

The opposition wants a debate on the notes ban in the Lok Sabha followed by a vote.

Accusing the opposition of stalling the Parliament rather than engage in discussion, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today told the Rajya Sabha that he was ready to explain the government's stand.