Demonetisation: LS Speaker calls all-party meet as Opposition gears up for showdown with Narendra Modi govt

New Delhi: With Centre's demonetisation move aggravating the problems being faced by the common man, a united Opposition is ready with a plan to corner the BJP-led NDA government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Reports on Monday said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is leading the Opposition charge against the Centre this time on the demonetisation issue and has reportedly taken all major political parties including Congress, SP, BSP on board.

Mamata had also met President Pranab Mukherjee over the demonetisation issue and given the support other parties, including Congress, the TMC hopes to escalate the issue against the government during the Parliament's upcoming winter Session.

In view of the Opposition demand for a comprehensive debate on the issue, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has called an all-party meeting today to discuss the demonetisation issue.

Ahead of winter session of Parliament Lok Sabha speaker calls all-party meet, PM @narendramodi to attend the all-party meeting

— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) November 14, 2016

PM @narendramodi to also attend BJP & NDA meeting ahead of all-party meeting — Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) November 14, 2016

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had yesterday made a fiery speech in Goa addressing the issue of demonetisation, which had further set the stage for a stormy Winter Session of the Parliament commencing from November 16.

Deputy leader of Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma has already given a notice for adjournment motion under Section 267 to suspend the business of the Upper House to discuss this issue of demonetisation and the problems being faced by common man in detail.

"PM is misleading people. It is the BJP leaders who thrive on black money. We want to discuss this matter in Parliament at length. We will hold government to account," said Sharma while talking to a TV news channel.

The senior Congress leader, however, added that all major political parties are against the menace of black money.

JDU leader KC Tyagi stated that though they support central government's move to ban Rs 500 and 1,000 currency note but are now worried for salaried class people, farmers, housewives and poor.

"Central government should have taken the Parliament and other political parties into confidence before initiating this step. Modi government should have made adequate preparations to roll out demonetisation scheme and should not have subjected common people into unprecedented hardships. We will demand that the house should suspended all business and discuss this issue," said CPI leader D Raja.

TMC MP Derek O'Brien also gave a notice for adjournment motion under Section 267 in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha to discuss demonetisation issue. 

However, minutes after PM's speech, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announced on Twitter that she spoke to the President.

"I briefed him about how common people are suffering because of demonetisation. I thank him for agreeing to meet reps (representation) of political parties on Nov 16 or 17 where we will brief him in detail on the grim situation," the TMC chief stated in her two tweets.
Her tweets highlighted that Opposition will be once again presenting a 'united' picture before the nation on the issue of demonetisation. 

The West Bengal Chief Minister is slated to reach Delhi on Tuesday, and coordinate with Congress and other parties for the audience with the President.

Importantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held meeting with senior ministers on demonetisation late on Sunday night.

The meeting at Prime Minister's residence was attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, I&B Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Power, Coal and Mines Minister Piyush Goyal and top officials of the Finance ministry.