Demonetisation: Trinamool to stage sit-in at Jantar Mantar against currency ban

Going hammer and thongs at the Centre over its 'faulty' demonetisation drive, TMC will on Wednesday stage a sit-in protest at 12

Going hammer and thongs at the Centre over its "faulty" demonetisation drive, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will on Wednesday stage a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar here at 12.

Simultaneous protests will also be held across West Bengal, said sources, adding that the TMC has appealed to NGOs, charitable organisations, political parties, student groups, civil society representatives and others to join the protest against this "financial emergency".

Before leaving for Delhi to participate in the sit-in, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday told reporters in Kolkata: "The TMC will protest against demonetisation. Our party extends support to the united opposition. We will request all political parties and appeal to all farmers and shopkeepers to protest. The BJP will get a befitting reply from the people. They won't be able to get any votes this time. They were supposed to bring back black money from Swiss banks, but they have snatched away the white money of the common people."

"This is a fight of the people and we need to make them win. If anybody wants to join us, I will welcome them. We will continue the protest till the matter is solved. The people will get justice. From tomorrow, we will launch a nation-wide political movement," she asserted.

Addressing the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Modi said the demonetisation of high value currency is just the beginning of his government's deep and continuous struggle against black money.

He said such types of action will be continued to make India an honest economy. He said the decision is in the interest of the poor and the middle class.

He added that his government is dedicated to eradicate the evil of black money and corruption which has affected the people for the last 70 years.

Prime Minister Modi also sought the people's views on the decision to demonetise high value currency notes and asked everyone in a tweet, to take part in a survey about this on the Narendra Modi App. People can rate the decision to ban old notes on this App.

The survey seeks the people's opinion on whether they believe black money exists in India, and whether they mind facing the inconvenience in fighting corruption, black money, and terrorism. The survey also seeks suggestions, ideas and insights on demonetisation from the general public.

Speaking in the meeting, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the entire country is welcoming the decision. He said the banning of high currency notes is a significant step taken by the NDA regime, adding it took a lot of courage to do so. The move will work as a catalyst to boost the digital economy, he added.

The BJP Parliamentary Party also passed a unanimous resolution congratulating Prime Minister Modi for the demonetisation. Reading out the resolution, Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the demonetisation will hit the financial support of terror outfits.