NEW DELHI -- With demonetisation entering its third week, the Opposition upped the ante against the Modi government, announcing plans to launch a nationwide protest called "Aakrosh Diwas" on 28 November.
Earlier in the day, leaders from Opposition parties formed a human chain, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi address Parliament over the widespread chaos following the government's decision to scrap Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes in order to combat black money and corruption.
While Modi was present in the Lok Sabha today, he did not address the Lower House. Both Houses were adjourned without a constructive debate on the sixth day of the Winter Session.
Just before adjourning Rajya Sabha, Deputy Chariman PJ Kurien sternly reprimanded the treasury benches for creating a ruckus. "You cannot behave like this," he said. In both Houses, lawmakers from the BJP appealed to their counterparts in the Opposition to debate the issue. "I don't understand that even though discussion was started in the Rajya Sabha, suddenly why the Opposition is disrupting the House," said Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu.
Speaking at a rally in the national capital, Naidu said that there was no question of the government withdrawing the exercise. "It is not in Modi ji' blood to take U-Turns," he said.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury said that the Opposition is examining whether to bring a contempt notice if Modi does not address Parliament. Congress Party Vice President Rahul Gandhi said that the prime minister had carried out the world's biggest "impromptu financial experiment."
Addressing a rally at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the country's economy was growing at a steady rate before demonetisation, but now there were many who did not have money to buy food. "People in power close their eyes and ears. There is so much arrogance in this government."
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