Reaching out to Opposition parties ahead of imminent face-off in Parliament on his Government’s decision to demonetise high value currency notes of Rs500 and Rs1,000, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday invited all political parties to pro-actively discuss election funding and simultaneous polls, the two reforms intended to cut down use of black money and overall expenditure.
At an all-party meeting, Modi urged political parties to send the message that all leaders were on the same page on issues of national interest and sought their cooperation inside and outside Parliament on curbing black money and corruption.
Modi asserted that his Government had launched a “crusade” against corruption and black money.
In his concluding remarks at the all-party meeting, Modi spoke in support of simultaneous elections for the lok Sabha and State Assemblies and argued that there should be State-funding of elections. The Prime Minister, who has been speaking on the twin issues of late, regretted that many parties privately supported this but did not have the courage to do so publicly.
“The Government is willing to discuss all issues and answer questions raised by the Opposition,” he said. Modi added that he was hoping for a fruitful month-long Winter Session of Parliament and recalled the passage of the Goods and Services Tax Bill in the last session with cooperation of all parties.
“We have launched a crusade against corruption, black money and fake currency, which is also behind cross-border terrorism. All parties should come together on this issue of national interest,” he said.
Speaking about simultaneous polls, Modi said, “A crucial problem is how to make political funding transparent.
How to implement State funding of electionsIJ let all political parties debate it and come to a conclusion. let’s remove the question mark which exists against those in public life.”
“Polls happen separately. let there be one election, simultaneous elections,” he said, seeking a consensus on the issue. Modi appealed to all parties to change “negative perception” of the public about politicians.
Speaking for the Congress, leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said his party was not for roll back of demonetisation “but against the economic chaos inflicted by this hasty, unprepared move”.
Azad alleged the decision to invalidate Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes was leaked in advance to some people, including BJP leaders, and called it probably the “biggest scam”. He, however, added that his party is not for its rollback.