Opposition seeks apology for PM ‘insult’

New Delhi: With the Opposition stepping up attacks over the Centre’s controversial demonetisation scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit back at his political rivals on Friday, saying they would have lavished praise on him if he had given them time before announcing the move. The PM’s remark yet again saw a united Opposition demanding an apology for him and stalling proceedings in both Houses of Parliament. The government, however, categorically rejected the demand.

“Some people are criticising, saying the government did not make ample preparations. I think that is not the issue — that the government didn’t make ample preparations. I think the pain of such people is that the government did not give a chance (to others) to make any preparations. If these people had got 72 hours to make their preparations, they would have lavished praise that there is no one like Modi,” he said at a book launch here.

The PM’s remarks came amid a standoff in Parliament on the issue, with the Opposition stepping up its attacks on the government. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had on Thursday said the step was “a case of organised loot and legalised plunder” and it reflected a “monumental management failure”.

Mr Modi said the country was fighting a big battle against corruption and black money and the ordinary citizen was the “soldier” in this fight. Noting India’s name figures prominently in global corruption surveys, which was not something to be proud of, he said some decisions had to be taken in the interests of the nation.

The PM also pointed out that civic bodies had benefited hugely by the demonetisation move. “I got details about municipal corporations in some cities. Earlier, they used to get Rs 3,000-3,500 crores in taxes, but after November 8 they have collected Rs 13,000 crores in tax. This money will be used for development like construction of roads and electricity supply,” the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, noisy scenes and pandemonium continued in the Lok Sabha for the seventh consecutive day, with the Opposition members up on their feet for most part of the day’s proceedings which saw two adjournments — at 11.20 am and then again during Zero Hour at 12.35 pm, before it was adjourned for the day. The day started with Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s references to the Constitution Day Saturday and to the eighth anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai before sloganeering Opposition MPs trooped to the Well of the House demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his dig at their protest against demonetisation.

Leader of the Congress in the House Mallikarjun Kharge said: “The issue now is not our demand for an adjournment motion but the remarks of the Prime Minister... He said the Opposition supports black money”.

The Opposition were heard shouting: “Pradhan Mantri sadan mein aao... Himmat hai toh sadan mein bolo” (PM, if you have courage, come and speak in the House).

All this while, many Congress members tried to draw the Speaker’s attention to Mr Kharge, who had been wanting to speak, but it was a futile exercise, leaving him visibly dismayed. Ms Mahajan said: “You will remain in the Well, shout slogans, tear papers and would like to speak as well. I cannot allow it.”

With the Congress, TMC, Left and RJD members continuing their loud protests, the House was adjourned for the week at 12.35 pm.

In the Rajya Sabha, as soon as the House met for the day, BSP leader Mayawati was on her feet saying the Prime Minister had in the morning “wrongly accused the Opposition of holding black money”, and demanded that he should apologise for his remarks.

Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad questioned how Mr Modi could make such allegations when it was made very clear by former PM Manmohan Singh and others during the debate on demonetisation on Thursday that the Opposition was against black money.

“How can the Prime Minister level such an allegation? ... We are against black money. The Prime Minister must apologise,” he said, as the Congress and other Opposition members trooped into the Well, shouting slogans like “Pradhan Mantri, maafi mango”. “The Prime Minister says the Opposition is favouring black money. This is an insult of the House and of the Opposition. When we have said we are against black money, when the entire Opposition has said the same, how can he say that? The  Prime Minister should apologise,” Mr Azad added.

Amid the din, minister of state for parliamentary affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was heard saying that there was no question of an apology from the Prime Minister, instead the Opposition should tender an apology. At this point, the Congress members trooped into the Well raising slogans as several BJP members were seen standing in the aisles and shouting back.

As the uproar continued, the Chair adjourned the House till 2.30 pm. As similar unruly scenes erupted again when the House reassembled, the deputy speaker adjourned the House for the day.