Kolkata: Trinamul Congress will hit the streets from November 23 to protest what Mamata Banerjee described as Narendra Modi’s “Tughlaqi decision” to ban Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes. However, unwilling to wait till Wednesday, the chief minister walked through the streets and lanes of city’s famous commercial hub-Burrabazar on Saturday. Ms Banerjee had served a 72-hour ultimatum to the prime minister to roll back the demonetisation or be prepared for a sustained agitation. During her visit to the RBI office at BBD Bagh, she said that she will announce her future course of action on Monday evening after talking to other opposition parties. However, a little later, TMC vice president and MP Mukul Roy announced at Trinamul Bhavan his party’s elaborate plan of action against Mr Modi’s move to scrap the currency notes. “ On November 23 TMC will organise a protest padayatra from College Square to Dorina Crossing (Esplanade). On Thursday, there will protests in all districts and on Friday in all blocks across the state,” he added.
Although it is not yet clear whether she will personally lead the rally on Wednesday, the chief minister is once again fast emerging in her crusader’s avatar. This became evident when from the RBI office, she walked to Burrabazar and listened to the woes of the traders, hawkers, labourers as well as common man on the streets. She was mobbed when she reached Canning Street by businessmen who had nothing but complaints against Mr Modi’s demonetisation move. “ Business bilkul khatam ho gaya. Bohni bhi nahin hoti hai. Didi aap kucch kijiye,” said a young shoe-seller said. A bearded middle-aged man told Ms Banerjee that customers were not coming because of the severe cash crunch. “ I will not sit idle. I will continue to fight whether some one comes with me or not,” Ms Banerjee assured them. Elated by her healing touch, some shopkeepers raised “ Mamata Banerjee zindabad” slogans.
