Currency Ban Row: Ready to work with CPM Says Mamta Banerjee
KOLKATA : Launching a scathing attack at the centre for banning old 500 and 1000-rupee bills, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said she was ready to work with all opposition parties – even arch rival CPM – to “save the country.”
“We may have ideological differences with CPI-M but we are ready to work with it, Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party to save the country,” Ms Banerjee said at a press conference in Kolkata.
“Withdraw this ‘black’ political decision which is anti-commoner. Markets across India ruined, people pained,” the 61-year-old Chief Minister added.
Ms Banerjee held the press conference after visiting banks and ATMs in Kolkata to witness the “hardship” faced by the common people and demanded withdrawal of the decision.
“These are all common people. Let the government nab the real culprits… I visited several bank branches and ATMs since the morning. I spoke to the people…How they were facing this inconvenience due to an ill-planned and anti-people policy. Those who have black money are not standing in long queues,” she said.
“It (the Modi government) should immediately withdraw the decision. It is causing an immense harassment to the masses. Most of the ATMs are still closed. From where will the common man get the money to run the family,” Ms Banerjee asked.
Pointing out that after standing for hours in a queue, people received only one Rs. 2,000 note each, she said, “How will they use this one Rs. 2,000 note for all of their daily needs? They are not getting currency notes of lower denominations. There is total chaos and anger.”
Earlier today, Ms Banerjee had also demanded withdrawal of the ban on Rs. 500 and 1000 notes, saying it was against the common people. “Withdraw this ‘black’ political decision which is anti-commoner. Markets across India ruined, purchasing power crashing, people pained,” she had tweeted.ndtv.
