Odisha’s BJD not to join Mamata brigade over demonetization

Ayaskant Das Published On : Nov 14, 2016 at 10:10 PM Updated On : Nov 16, 2016 at 9:30 AM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Nov 14:

Odisha’s ruling Biju Janta Dal (BJD) has decided against Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee’s decision to meet President Pranab Mukherjee over recalling of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes last week.

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“BJD will not meet President over demonetization. We are not going to be a part of Mamata Banerjee’s delegation to apprise him of the difficulties faced by the people in the wake of demonetisation,” party spokesperson Pratap Kesari Deb told media persons here today.

However, BJD MP Kalikesh Narayan Singhdeo said that though the party had already welcomed the Centre’s move of withdrawing higher denomination currency notes, it would raise the issue in Parliament during the forthcoming Winter Session and highlight the plight of the common people post demonetization, he added.

Yesterday, West Bengal Chief Minister had spoken to President Pranab Mukherjee to meet him over Centre’s decision to spike the currencies of highest denominations.

Banerjee gave a call for a “joint movement” by Opposition parties against the Centre to give people some respite from the ongoing “financial anarchy” that has been caused due to the decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes.

“This is not an ego battle. I humbly appeal again to the Govt at the Centre. Save the common people from more suffering, and the country from financial catastrophe, by withdrawing this hasty decision. 1st pl put a proper action plan in place. Breathing space for people. Today I spoke with several political leaders regarding a joint movement and to meet Rashtrapati Ji together. Let us all fight this together to give relief to common citizens, the poor and stop this financial anarchy,” the TMC chief had tweeted yesterday.

According to reports, she spoke to senior leaders including her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechuri and urged them to accompany her to meet the President.