Demonetisation: Currency recall issue creates storm in Parliament

NEW DELHI: The currency recall issue created a storm in Parliament on the second day of the winter session, with the Opposition demanding the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Rajya Sabha, while treasury benches alleged that Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad had equated the issue with the Uri terror attack.

The Rajya Sabha plunged into a din after BSP chief Mayawati, seconded by Azad, demanded that the PM be present during the debate. When the House met at 3 pm, after the forced adjournment, Azad said, “About 40 people have died due to wrong implementation of demonetisation.

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This is double the number of those killed in Uri attack. Who should be punished for these deaths? Their murder is on your (government’s) head.” He charged that the government had gone ahead with the currency recall without printing new notes. “This is dictatorship. The House will not function till the PM comes to the House,” he said.

This saw I&B Minister M Venkaiah Naidu rushing to the House and allege “you have compared these deaths with Pakistani terrorism.” An angry Azad shot back that it was the NDA government which had cosied up to Pakistan.

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“We have always been with our forces. We (who belong to Jammu and Kashmir) face Pakistani bullets daily... (Whereas) not even a mouse has bitten you. You dine with them (Pakistan), you have biryani, you attend their marriages without being invited, you gift them shawls,” Azad said.

The remarks prompted treasury benches to demand Azad’s apology, leading to adjournment for the day. Later, Naidu apprised the PM about the day’s developments.

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The Lok Sabha also did not transact much business as Congress insisted that the adjournment motion to discuss the note recall be debated under Rule 56 that entailed voting. Although NDA has a majority, the Opposition attempt seemed to be to show that the government was isolated. Both Houses are unlikely to witness peaceful proceedings on Friday.