In what may prove to be an embarrassment for the ruling BJP, its alliance partner Shiv Sena indicated here on Tuesday that its MPs would be a part of an all-party delegation led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that would meet President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday to discuss the contentious demonetisation issue.
Talking to media persons a day after his party charged that the demonetisation of `1,000 and `500 notes had triggered a financial anarchy and a civil war in the country, Uddhav said, “We are not against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But the demonetisation issue is linked to the common man. What is wrong in the Sena MPs meeting the President along with Mamata BanerjeeIJ We can join the delegation in the larger interests of the people”.
Uddhav’s statement came within hours after Mamata went to town saying that the Sena had assured her that its leaders would accompany her in meeting with President over the demonetisation issue. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would also be a part of the delegation that would meet the President on Wednesday.
Making a strong case for the lifting of a ban on the district co-operative banks to accept demonetised notes, Uddhav said “The ban on district cooperative banks (to accept old `1,000 and `500 notes) is unjustified. The money of farmers is in these banks. The farmers should be allowed to exchange their old notes from these banks. My party MPs will submit a memorandum to PM in this regard to tomorrow”.
Uddhav said that he would also talk to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on lifting the ban on district cooperative banks accepting old currency of the denominations of Rs 1,000 and 500.
In a related development, Sena MP Sanjay Nirupam said: “The decision to scrap Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes is a not a political issue. It is an issue that concerns the people. The demonization has led to financial anarchy in the country. What Maharashtra should do is a matter we will decide. The Shiv Sena will not keep quiet on this issue. Wait till tomorrow. We will announce our decision”.
Confirming that Banerjee had spoken to the Sena President on the demonetisation issue, Raut said: “If people are to get justice by knocking the doors of whoever that matter, the Sena is ready to do so. Uddhavji is in talks with Mamta Banerjee on the demonetisation issue”.
In an editorial published in its official mouth-piece “Saamana”, the Sena had on Monday castigated the NDA government over its demonetisation move, by charging that Narendra Modi dispensation’s decision to scrap Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes had led to financial anarchy and civil war in the country.
“The Prime Minister has said he resort to one more dhamaka after December 30. Through his decision to scrap Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes, the PM has already dropped a bombshell of financial anarchy on 125 crore people in the country”.
“People are struggling on streets to withdraw their own meager Rs 2,000. The tendency of indulging in clashes has increased. This is what one calls as a civil war. A financial anarchy has erupted in the country. What we are witnessing is a dangerous situation where in all 125 crore are suffering (because of the demonetization decision),” the “Saamana” editorial had stated.