Meeting on note ban: Opposition stays away, irks Trinamul Congress

Kolkata: Only a week ago, Congress, Trinamul Congress and CPI(M) were seen joining hands with other opposition parties outside Parliament protesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation decision. On Wednesday, Congress and CPI(M) and its Left Front partners stayed away from the all-party meeting which Speaker Biman Banerjee had convened in his chamber ahead of the brief five-day winter session, which starts Friday.  

Significantly, all three BJP MLAs attended the meeting despite chief minister Mamata Banerjee being the most critical of Mr Modi and the Centre’s decision to scrap the high value currency notes.

Voicing his displeasure, parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee said the opposition leaders did not attend the meeting because of “trivial reasons”. “Before the Assembly polls, CPI(M) and Congress had entered into an unprincipled and irresponsible alliance. After being thoroughly defeated, they seem to have lost their minds. This meeting was not convened by the ruling party but by the Speaker. By staying away, they have insulted the Assembly,” Mr Chatterjee added.

Trinamul Congress, which has been the most bitter critic of demonetisation, is now planning to raise the issue on the floor of the Assembly. “We want a rollback of the dictatorial decision. We hope the Rs 14 lakh crore lost from market will be replenished with enough low denomination notes so that the harassment of the common people comes to an end. There will be a discussion for two and a half hours on December 5 on the issue of demonetisation in the House,” Mr Chatterjee elaborated. He also clarified that no new Bill will be tabled in this session while a dozen amendment Bills will be passed.

Sources said Mr Chatterjee was upset with Congress and Left Front because the ruling TMC was planning to get an all-party resolution passed against demonetisation in this session of the Assembly.

Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Abdul Mannan and Left Front legislature party leader Sujan Chakraborty informed that they were not interested in signing any resolution with the ruling party.