PM took RBI Guv's role, must answer on demonetisation move: Congress

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress Party on Tuesday alleged that the former who stepped into the shoes of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor with the demonetisation decision must now respond to the concerns of the opposition in both the Houses of Parliament.

"This is not any favour. This is the right of the opposition in a democracy. Taking the role of the RBI Governor, the Prime Minister sent the message to the nation that Rs. 500 and 1,000 currency notes will be illegal after November 8. But Rs. 500 and 1,000 currency notes are being used and the Central Government is accepting it," Congress leader Digvijaya Singh told ANI.

 

Asserting that Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has no role to play in answering the questions on demonetisation, Singh asserted that the Prime Minister must come in both the Houses of Parliament and respond on the matter.

"There are many questions rising and to answer those, the Prime Minister has to come in both the Houses of Parliament. The Finance Minister has no role to play in this," he added.

Meanwhile, both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned till 2 p.m. following uproar from the opposition demanding Prime Minister Modi's presence and discussion on demonetisation.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati demanded the Prime Minister's presence in the House for the discussion.

Responding to this, Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu asked the agitating members to start the discussion assuring that Prime Minister Modi would come to the House and intervene.

Naidu yesterday said the opposition's nation-wide protest was a flop.

Deputy Chairman P. J. Kurien repeatedly asked the members to cooperate the Chair.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members also countered the slogans raised by the opposition.

The Lok Sabha also witnessed two adjournments before noon.

As soon as the House met for the day, Congress, TMC, NCP members trooped into the well of the House demanding suspension of the Question Hour to discuss the demonetisation issue.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till 11.30. As the House met after the first adjournment, there was no change in the situation. She adjourned the House till noon, after which it was again adjourned till 2 p.m.