The opposition also termed as "immature" Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's remark that its members were not taking part in discussion on demonetisation in the House, but were using the issue for "getting footage on TV", and said the situation was otherwise and it was Modi who wanted to be seen on television.
On the BJP parliamentary party passing a resolution claiming public support for demonetisation, the opposition leaders asked the ruling party "to check ground realities" first and stressed that the people continue to reel under hardships.
"We have been reduced to a banana republic. This responsibility lies with one person: the Prime Minister. He should apologise for (what) he has inflicted upon people of the country," he said.
Sharma said Jaitley's statement was "very unfortunate and immature" and that it should have been avoided.
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"(Rather it is) the Prime Minister who wants to be seen on TV all the time, so does the Finance Minister. What do they expect? That the opposition has no right to question, criticise wrong decisions?" he asked.
Referring to the BJP parliamentary party resolution, the Rajya Sabha MP suggested the ruling party should do a reality check as he noted that the poor continued to suffer post withdrawal of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes.
"People are suffering. When such issue is raised, they are saying our opposition is for TV footage," Yechury said.
Yechury flayed the BJP parliamentary party for passing a resolution, condemning opposition parties for not letting the Parliament function, and said it is the Prime Minister who is not letting it function.
month ago. He had said the problem will be solved within 50 days. But I can't see it happening over the past one month. The poor, agricultural workers...They continue to remain affected," the BSP supremo said.
Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said that the government did not take initiative to ensure smooth functioning of the House.
Hitting back, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi sought to know whether the opposition wants Modi to apologise for having "tightened noose around Kubers of black money and corrupts" and working in public interest.
"Why should the Prime Minister apologise? Because the Kubers of black money, corrupts and dishonest have been hit hard? Or is it because the poor is on the way of being happy?" he asked.
The minister alleged those demanding apology are the "ones who allowed corrupts a freehand to loot the country for 70 years."
He stressed the decision is in the interest of the people who, he claimed, are supporting the move.
"But instead of participating and concluding the debate, the opposition has been using the Zero Hour to raise the issue for getting footage on TV rather than listening to substantive facts on the issue... If the Opposition has the guts, the debate should resume," the Leader of the House said.