Sitaram Yechury warns of widespread protest against 'unacceptable' demonetisation move

Continuing his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Friday the former cannot decide the way people of the country live and warned of widespread protest against the "unacceptable" step.

"...under our Constitution, the people are supreme. The Constitution begins with 'we the people'. The Prime Minister cannot decide the way people lead their lives. This is unacceptable...there will be widespread protests against this measure," a party statement quoted Yechury as saying.

Addressing a day-long dharna organised by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the capital city of Kerala against the Centre's November 8 move, Yechury alleged that state governments suffered huge revenue losses in the wake of demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes.

Yechury added that the Kerala and Tripura governments led by his party will take initiatives to mobilise non-BJP governments to flag a joint demand that the Centre compensates for the losses.