As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 50-day demonetisation drive ends next week, an ‘united’ Opposition, led by the Congress, plans to take on the Modi Government over a plethora of issues ranging from the hardships to the masses due to the demonetisation move, charges of corruption against the PM besides the process of appointments to key top-level posts in the Government like that of the Army chief and CBI’s interim Director.
The move is seen as a bid by the Congress to restore the Opposition unity that shattered after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi led a Congress delegation to meet Modi over UP farmers’ issue. Efforts are now on by the Congress managers to ensure arch-rivals left and the Trinamool Congress share the same Opposition platform.
With Congress and the left staying away from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led march to the President’s House against demonetisation, it remains to be seen if it agrees to join hands this time around, especially, when the left too is being wooed to join in.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has invited Opposition parties for a joint Press conference to attack the Modi Government over range of issues particularly demonetisation, “subversion” of institutions. The charges of alleged corruption against the PM too could be raised, sources said.
AICC sources said that Ahmed Patel, Sonia’s political secretary, called up leaders of the left parties, JD(U), RJD, JD(S) and NCP. The plan is to bring together all the Opposition leaders and put a united Opposition face. leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad has also called on some Opposition leaders about the joint presser on December 27.
Apart from demonetisation, the Congress and other parties recently criticised the Centre’s move to announce lt Gen Bipin Rawat as the next Army chief, superseding two seniors. Opposition parties had earlier slammed the Government for “taking over” some institutions. The Government’s decision to appoint an interim CBI Director has also been criticised by the Opposition.
While the erstwhile UPA allies RJD, NCP, DMK and National Conference are believed to have confirmed about their participation, those yet to confirm are JD (U), SP, BSP and TMC.