Oppn Demands Debate on Demonetisation at All-Party Meet

Major opposition parties urged Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to allow a debate on demonetisation on a priority.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan chairs an All-Party meet ahead of the winter session. (Photo: PTI)

The demonetisation issue figured prominently on Monday at the all-party meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan with all major opposition parties, including the Congress, wanting a debate on it in Parliament.

The cross-LoC surgical strikes, policy towards Pakistan, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, besides OROP and the plight of farmers were also among issues that were raised at the meeting with parties demanding discussion on them.

Major opposition parties, during the meeting which lasted over three hours, urged Mahajan to allow a debate on demonetisation on a priority, so difficulties faced by the common man could be highlighted.

Also Read: Arbitrary? Unconstitutional? Is Demonetisation Legal?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended a dinner hosted by the Speaker after the all-party meeting.

Mahajan said 22 to 23 bills are likely to be introduced in the winter session which will have 22 sittings.

Leaders of various political parties, including Congress, BJD, Trinamool Congress, SP, SAD, Shiv Sena, LJP, RLSP and BJP were present at the meeting.

A splintered opposition showed the first signs of coming together against the Prime Minister since he took power in 2014 – over the demonetisation move.

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