The Opposition attacked the Government in Rajya Sabha on Monday for ignoring the woes of the common man hit hard by demonetisation and attacked the BJP Parliamentarians for only painting a “rosy picture” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they were “scared”.
Participating in a debate on the Motion of Thanks for President’s address, Congress member Rajeev Shukla said it was a “disappointment” as there was nothing new in it. He said every speaker from the ruling BJP was “only painting a rosy” picture to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the demonetisation move as “everyone is scared”.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury attacked the Government on a variety of issue, including demonetisation and religious intolerance and said the President’s address had failed to mention a single word on over 100 lives lost during the demonestisation move.
Congress leader Ahmed Patel charged the Government with indulging in vendetta politics and acting with a “revengeful mindset towards the Opposition”.
Observing that the President’s address had referred to the cross-border surgical strike, Shukla said three such operations were carried out during the Congress-led rule which were spoken about only by a former Army chief and the Foreign Office.
“Even when Indira Gandhi fought the 1971 war, there was no such publicity,” said Shukla. Shukla’s contentions received support from other Opposition members, including Sanjay Seth (SP) and Sharad Yadav (JD-U).
Yadav spoke of the affects of demonetisation on the poor people and said land of tribals was being taken away and the government remained unresponsive. He also spoke on the Kashmir issue and said the government should talk to various sections to ensure that the state does not face problems again.
Invoking Guru Ramanuja and Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, Yechury attacked the government for building an atmosphere of fear and religious intolerance in the country. “If you do not believe in my god, you are not part of India. That is what has been happening in the country,” he said.
He called the demonetisation drive of the government as the “biggest disruption” which has affected the normal existence of the vast majority of people and their livelihood.
Attacking Modi for terming SP, Congress, Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati as SCAM, he said: “SCAM is battle against the Scheduled Castes and the minorities. This is what the PM and his government are doing in the country.”