Elders back to business, but logjam persists in LS

Though the Rajya Sabha did take up a discussion on demonetisation, albeit briefly, no business could be held in the Lok Sabha on Thursday due to Opposition protests.

In the Rajya Sabha, Opposition parties demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi be present during the discussion.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s assurance that the Prime Minister would be present and that he would intervene in the debate did not satisfy the Opposition. Jaitley alleged that the Opposition was shifting goalposts to run away from the debate. “The Opposition was taken by surprise today (Thursday) morning when we announced that PM will participate in the debate. Now they are inventing reasons to escape,” Jaitley said, adding that the Opposition was not keen on a debate, but focussed on disruption.

The Opposition retorted by saying that Modi was interested in “minimum governance and maximum publicity”. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh told reporters that the Opposition had demanded the PM’s presence as the demonetisation decision was taken, implemented and is being applauded by one man.

“Today we had a debate for one hour. The Prime Minister sat through the debate. Lok Sabha is adjourned; he does not have to sit in the Lok Sabha. There are still 22 Speakers left in the Rajya Sabha, he can sit through the debate and he can answer the debate,” Ramesh said. “We are well within our rights to demand the Prime Minister’s presence. We have asked him to be present and to respond,” he added.

In the morning, Opposition was assured by Jaitley that Modi would be present. It is on Thursdays that questions on the Prime Minister’s Office are usually taken up. Modi arrived at the House at around 12 pm and the debate on demonetisation continued.

After Manmohan Singh, who made scathing attacks against the Centre, SP leader Naresh Agarwal and Trinamool MP Derek O’ Brien spoke. Agarwal said the Centre had created an Emergency-like situation by putting pressure on the media and Constitutional institutions. He said private entities were being allowed to maximise their profit from the decision to demonetise high-value currency and urged the Centre to keep Parliament in loop while taking major steps that affect the country’s poor.

O’ Brien said the Opposition was reflecting the voice of the people. “Anyone who opposes your policy is not for black money; anyone who opposes your policy is not anti-national. Why are you giving us these lectures on corruption and black money? We are opposing you because the people are suffering; we are opposing you because we believe that the economy will be killed. But why are you making this an issue? Are you some messiah and all of us devils?” he said.

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