Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of reducing India to a "banana republic" by imposing demonetisation, the opposition today asked him to apologise for the move, a demand the government was quick to dismiss averring that it was in the country's interest.
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.
"The impression that has gone worldwide post demonetisation is that money that was there with housewives, labourers, salaried employees was black money. India's image has been hit. Even the foreign tourists coming here, embassies are not getting money," Congress leader Anand Sharma told reporters outside Parliament.
"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.
"(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.
Echoing Sharma, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said it is "only the Prime Minister who is seen there on TV."
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.
BSP chief Mayawati reiterated that the Centre announced demonetisation "sans any preparation".
"The Prime Minister announced demonetisation nearly a
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.
He asked the opposition to join debate on the issue as there are still some day left for the session to be over. The winter session of Parliament will conclude on December 16.
"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.
Earlier, speaking in Rajya Sabha, Jaitley said the government had not wasted even a minute to agree to a debate on the issue. It also agreed to the rule under which the debate is to be conducted as well as to the demand that the Prime Minister will participate in it, Jaitley said.
"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.
