Shiv Sena intensifies attack on ally BJP in Maharashtra

Intensifying its protest against demonetisation, a delegation of Shiv Sena members of parliament (MPs) will on Monday meet Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Urjit Patel, seeking clarity on the time that would be needed to tackle the cash crunch.

Intensifying its protest against demonetisation, a delegation of Shiv Sena members of parliament (MPs) will on Monday meet Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Urjit Patel, seeking clarity on the time that would be needed to tackle the cash crunch. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh head Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur on Sunday and discussed various issues, including demonetisation. The party has been very vocal in its criticism of the move from Day One of its announcement.

Party chief Uddhav Thackeray met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh head Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur on Sunday and discussed various issues, including demonetisation. (HT FILE PHOTO)

The Sena’s move coincides with the first day of the winter session of the state legislature in Nagpur, where opposition parties are preparing to target the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government over a host of issues.

The Shiv Sena had earlier decided to hold a protest march at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) headquarters in Fort. The party also planned to hand over its protest in writing to the Governor’s office.

A Sena leader who did not wish to be named said, “The protest was canceled as the Mumbai Police requested the party to avoid assembly of large crowd.”

While most parties have slammed the government’s sudden decommissioning old Rs500 and Rs1,000 currency notes, the Shiv Sena has maintained it is not against demonetisation, but the method in which it has been implemented. The party has openly targeted the BJP over the government’s exercise and even participated in an Opposition protest led by Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress.

Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant said, “Even today, there are restrictions on withdrawals. A majority of the ATMs are not functioning. People were not able to access their salaries this month because of the chaotic situation. It is absolutely miserable. People are starting to lose faith in banks.”

Earlier, the party’s MPs even met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express their criticism of the method of implementation of the exercise, and request allowing district central banks, urban cooperatives and credit societies to accept decommissioned Rs500 and Rs1,000 currency notes.

Another senior Sena leader, who did not wish to be named, censured the Modi government’s ambitious plans of having a cashless economy. “Put the basic infrastructure in place first. Many parts of the country still don’t have electricity. How will card terminals work without power? How will the government ensure that there are no cyber frauds and people’s money is actually protected?”

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