United oppn asks PM to explains rationale behind demonetisation in Parliament

Continuing their tirade against the ongoing demonetisation drive, a united opposition on Wednesday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in Parliament so that he explains the rationale behind initiating such a decision.

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia while protesting against the banning of high denomination notes said those questioning the Centre are declared anti-national.

"If anybody questions this government then either he is declared anti-national or is dubbed dubious. We all are against black money and corruption but the way this government has launched the demonetisation drive the common man is suffering. 70 lives have been claimed so far post demonetisation, is it a small thing? We want adjournment under rule 56 and we want prime minsters attendance in the Parliament," Scindia said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D.Raja demanded the Prime Minister to face the opposition in the floor of the House and debate on the issue.

"The first demand is that the Prime Minister should come to Parliament as he announced the decision. When he is speaking on the very issue outside the Parliament, why can't he come and speak on the same issue on the floor of the House? Let there be a JPC," said Raja.

The Opposition parties on Wednesday put up a united front against the Centre over demonetisation, as they formed a giant human chain outside the Parliament chanting slogans and carrying placards, fervently demanding Prime Minister Modi's presence in the House.

The chain began from the entrance of the Parliament near the media stand and stretched across the Mahatma Gandhi statue.

"The nation is standing in line and we are doing just that here," Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O'Brien, Janata Dal (United)'s Sharad Yadav and DMK's Kanimozhi were among the almost 200 opposition MPs gathered in Parliament premises.

"Not a surgical strike, but carpet bombing on people", "Stop the persecution of common people" and "Save poor people" were some of the slogans on the placards held by the leaders.

Meanwhile, senior Union Ministers including Rajnath Singh and Ananth Kumar are holding a meeting in Venkaiah Naidu's chamber to decide the government's strategy in Parliament.