Demonetisation: PM Narendra Modi likely to address Rajya Sabha on Thursday; govt reaches out to Opposition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the Rajya Sabha on Thursday amid continuing demand by the Opposition that the PM be present in the House during the debate over demonetisation, reports said on Wednesday. 

A united Opposition has been disrupting the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament since the beginning of the winter session last week over demonetisation issue.

PM Modi has not attended the Rajya Sabha in this winter session so far even as the Opposition has been pressing for his reply explaining the Centre’s ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes and intervene in the debate.

The government has rejected the demand so far saying Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will reply to the debate. However, reports have said that the government is now trying to find a truce and is reaching out to the Opposition.

Top BJP leaders will reportedly meet leaders from all parties on Thursday.

ALSO READ | As it happened: Parliament adjourned for the day amid uproar over demonetisation

The winter session will end on December 18 and many important bills have been lined up by the government to be passed. Two important bills are related to government’s mega reform Goods and Services Tax (GST) which will meet an April 2017 deadline of implementation if passed in this session.

For the passage of these bills the government requires the support of Opposition parties, especially in the Rajya Sabha, where it is in minority.

Opposition parties have protested in Parliament demanding PM Modi speak in Parliament on the currency ban and how it has troubled people who have been standing in queues at banks and ATMs for days to withdraw their own money.

ALSO READ | Opposition parties hold protest against government's demonetisation move outside Parliament

PM Modi was present in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday and the government said it was ready for a discussion but Opposition continued their protest and disrupted proceedings.

On November 8, the high value currency notes were discontinued after a surprise announcement by PM Modi.