Shiv Sena, NC join hands with Mamata Banerjee on demonetisation issue

New Delhi: Seeking immediate withdrawal of the demonetisation exercise, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday met President Pranab Mukherjee along with leaders of National Conference, AAP and NDA ally Shiv Sena and submitted a memorandum voicing serious concern over the crisis arising out of an ban on Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes.

Ms Banerjee led a march to the Rashtrapati Bhavan from Parliament along with the Trinamul Congress MPs, AAP MP Bhagwant Mann, Shiv Sena MP Anandrao Adsul, NC leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah among others.

“We had a successful meeting with the President during which we discussed the issue. And the President said he would look into the matter,” she said, after emerging out of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

She said, “Our party will move an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha”. Expressing concern over the problems being faced by the people after the demonetisation move, she said “We have requested the President to speak to the government and decide on this and bring back normalcy in the country. President was once the finance minister and knows the country’s situation better than anyone else, he will take appropriate action.” Leaders of the other opposition parties including Congress, Left parties, SP and BSP did not to take part in the protest march. Describing as “dictatorial and draconian step” the government's demonetisation move, the memorandum has sought its immediate suspension.

“Stop harassment of the common people by lifting of all restrictions thrust upon them,” the five-page memorandum said.