Why can't there be bipartisan support on demonetisation: Centre

Union Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday questioned the opposition's intention over demonetisation, asking them why they can't provide bipartisan support to Centre's decision to demonetise currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000.

"As far as opposition sake is concerned initial difficulty has been addressed, lines are getting smaller. What troubles me is that Nitish Kumar has supported this move, Naveen Patnaik, Sharad Pawar has also supported it. Why can't there be bipartisan support on an initiative that is purely national interest," he told ANI here.

The Union Minister further asserted that the demonetisation move that came into effect nearly 10 days back is showing results and has broken the financial backbone of extremists.

"Hardly ten days have gone by and the positive impact of keeping out of circulation Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 is showing results and four lakh crore has come to the bank. All is now clean money. The terrorist flow of counter money has stopped Maoist and other extremist are finding their financial backbone completely broken therefore, India's economy is surging and India's security is getting strengthened," he added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on President Pranab Mukherjee, even as a raging debate over the implementation of the government's demonetisation exercise reached its peak in parliament.

Sources said the meeting lasted for around 45 minutes, but did not divulge the issues discussed between the two.

Prime Minister Modi is believed to have briefed President Mukherjee on the developments that have taken place in the aftermath of the launch of the demonetisation drive.

Proceedings in Parliament have been stalled for the past three days due to the treasury and the opposition trading verbals over the demonetisation decision.