CPI(M) for joint agitation on cooperative issue, Cong differs

CPI(M) in Kerala today said the party was for a joint agitation along with Congress-led UDF against the Centre in the wake of cooperative sector coming to a standstill following demonetisation even as KPCC said there was no need for such a stir.
"The suggestion of the party is to have a joint stir along with other political parties against the Centre's decision. But, if a consensus in this regard was not reached, party-led LDF would launch separate agitation," CPI(M) state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told reporters after the party state committee meet.
Stating that cooperative sector was facing severe crisis due to Centre's decision not to allow it to deal with exchange of old currencies of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denominations, Balakrishnan said LDF would organise mass agitation to save the sector from the "onslaught of Centre's negative attitude".

"CPI(M) wants that all parties should move together. The party wanted the government to take such an approach during an all-party meeting to be held here tomorrow to work out strategy to challenge the Centre's decision," he said.
The Government has also called for a special session of assembly on November 22 to discuss the difficulties faced by cooperative societies.
Taking exception to the proposal of some UDF leaders for a joint stir on the issue, KPCC president V M Sudheeran said "all political parties other than BJP have come out against Narendra Modi government's attitude towards cooperative sector. There is no necessity to think about a joint stir," he said in a Facebook post.

"Each party and coalition is in the agitation front," he said.

He also questioned the dharna by LDF led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in front of the RBI office here on November 18 as first phase of stir against what they termed as Centre's move to destroy cooperative sector in the state.
KPCC Vice-President M M Hassan said the party has not
discussed to have joint agitation with CPI-M on the issue.
"UDF will take a decision on the matter during its meeting to be held here tomorrow," he said.
Opposition leader in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala and few other Front leaders had expressed readiness for a joint agitation against the Centre on the issue.

Meanwhile, Janata Dal (U), a constituent of UDF, said the party welcomes a joint initiative of both ruling LDF and UDF Opposition to address the currency crisis and to protect the cooperatives.
Varughese George, national General Secretary of JD(U) said in a statement that in Parliament the Congress, the Left and Janata Dal (U) have taken strong position highlighting people's difficulty in the aftermath of demonetisation.
"In the state also this can be reflected by joint action including all-party delegation and discussing related issues in the special session of legislature," he said.
The LDF and UDF had alleged that the Centre backed by BJP in the state was trying to "destroy" cooperative sector under the cover of demonetisation process.

CPI(M) also alleged that RSS was spreading "lies" that deposits in cooperatives in the state were not safe with an objective to trigger panic among depositors.
It was to force the public to withdraw money from cooperative banks and invest it in private banks, Balakrishnan said, adding that the cooperatives in the state have a total deposit of Rs 1.27 lakh crore.