The opposition, which for the last few days has dug its heels in the Parliament over the note ban issue, is now considering a bandh or shutdown across India.
The parliament deadlock is over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence in the house and over a demand for a debate in Parliament over demonetisation.
In the last few days, the opposition has united to disrupt both Houses to protest the currency ban.
The opposition parties are expected to meet on Wednesday to chart the next plan of action. They added that they will hold a protest inside the Parliament compound, NDTV reported.
Another march to President Pranab Mukherjee’s residence is also in the pipeline, DNA reported. Given the Left parties’ reservations about Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, it has reportedly been decided that the march won’t be led by anyone.
Mamata Announces Dharna at Jantar Mantar
Meanwhile, Banerjee herself said she would stage a dharna in Delhi on Wednesday and appealed to other opposition parties to take to the streets to protest the move.
I will stage a protest at Jantar Mantar at 12:30 pm and I appeal to other (opposition) parties to register their protests on the roads on demonetisation which has caused hardship to the common people.
CPI(M) Considers Contempt Notice
The CPI(M) is also planning to bring a contempt of Parliament notice against PM Modi for announcing important policy matters outside Parliament, but not coming to the House to explain them.
If the Prime Minister makes a major policy announcement outside Parliament, particularly when it has been summoned by the President, it is incumbent that he comes to both Houses to explain the issue. This has not been done.Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary, CPI(M)
Yechury said the Prime Minister was making statement after statement outside the Parliament when it was in session but not inside and this “amounts to utter contempt of Parliament.”
We are examining the possibility of moving contempt proceedings against him and are seeking legal opinion. We will hold consultations with all opposition parties.
The government however has maintained that the Prime Minister will not speak in the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in minority. Instead, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will address the Upper House.
Jaitley accused the opposition of stalling parliamentary proceedings by not allowing him to answer questions in the House.
(With inputs from PTI, NDTV, Business Standard. DNA)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)