Two Indian chief ministers demand withdrawal of note ban, threaten agitation

Two Indian Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal Thursday launched a scathing attack on federal government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding immediate revocation of the demonetisation move and threatened to launch an agitation if government does not withdraw its ban on currency notes of 500 and 1000.

The two leaders addressed a public rally at Azadpur fruit wholesale market in New Delhi. The duo mocked at Modi and his promise of achche din (better days) slogans for bringing common man on road.

"If in three days you don't withdraw the move, we will step up our protests," Banerjee in her address said. "The common man is suffering due to it. We are giving you three days. If you do not fix all problems, we will not leave you. We are still alive."

Banerjee is Chief Minister of eastern Indian state of West Bengal. She had come to Delhi to oppose the Modi's demonetisation move. On Wednesday Banerjee petitioned to the President of India against the currency ban.

"Take back this decision in three days. Don't test people's patience. Otherwise, there will be a bhagawat (revolt) by people," said New Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The New Delhi Chief Minister questioned who was responsible for the death of 40 people that have reportedly died because of the ban on currency notes.

Media reports have attributed over 40 deaths to demonetisation in the past few days across India. These include suicides, cardiac arrests and hospital casualties owing to non-availability of money.

The two leaders accused Modi of bringing miseries on people and forcing them to stand in a queue to get money for buying essentials.

Meanwhile, Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley ruled out roll back of the decision on demonetisation.

"The government has taken a decision of bringing transparency in the economic and political system and government will stick to it," a news agency quoted Jaitley as having said.

Indian parliament on Thursday witnessed noisy scenes over the issue of demonetisation. Both the houses of the lawmaking body were adjourned as opposition demanded an explanation from the government over demonetisation. The lawmakers belonging to opposition parties stormed into the well and raised slogans against the Modi government.

Last week in a surprise televised address Modi announced withdrawal of currency notes of 500 and 1000 Indian rupees from India's financial system.

He described the move as part of his anti-corruption drive to stop counterfeit and black money.

The currency notes of 500 and 1000 ceased to be legal tender since then and people were urged to get the notes swapped at banks and post offices until December 30. Beyond that until March 31, the depositors have to furnish identity proof.

India is an overwhelmingly cash-based economy and banned currency notes are estimated to be 85 percent of the cash in circulation in the country.

The sudden announcement of scrapping the high value notes has caused anxiety among the Indian citizens and resulted in huge disruption to their daily life.

Long queues outside banks and ATMs have become a daily spectacle of Indian life across cities and villages since Modi's address. Endit