United Opposition to demand joint parliamentary probe into demonetisation

A united Opposition is all set to corner the government in Parliament on Monday on the demonetisation issue with the Congress issuing a whip to its parliamentarians and leaders of opposition parties slated to meet to chalk out a joint strategy.

Opposition leaders will meet on Monday morning and are likely to raise the demand of a joint parliamentary committee probe into the alleged selective leakage of demonetisation information to the ruling BJP.

Sources in the opposition camp said there is unanimity among all parties on the need for a comprehensive investigation into prior intimation of the decision to some people.

A senior opposition leader said, “Many parties are determined to take this matter of selective leakage to the masses and jointly take on the government in Parliament. There are other worrisome aspects of the demonetisation decision which we will raise in both Houses of Parliament.”

The Congress is leading the deliberations with Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and Deputy Leader Anand Sharma coordinating with other opposition parties.

The sources said all outfits including the TMC, JD(U), BSP, SP, NCP and Left parties are on the same page on the issue and will step up their offensive in both Houses.

A senior Congress leader said a whip has been issued in both Houses to ensure the presence of all members.

After the opposition leaders’ meeting, Congress will hold its own strategy meet with its MPs. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is expected to chair the meeting.

The opposition has stalled proceedings in both the Houses last week demanding the Prime Minister’s response in the matter. In the Lok Sabha, the government and the opposition have locked horns over rules to debate demonetisation with Congress and TMC seeking a discussion under an adjournment motion, which permits voting. The government, however, agreed for a debate under Rule 193 which doesn’t entail voting.

The Congress leader said the party is also planning “direct mass action” against the demonetisation move by flagging poor implementation.