Common man 'bearing brunt' while black money hoarders sitting in palaces: Shiv Sena

New Delhi [India], Nov. 22 (ANI): NDA ally Shiv Sena on Tuesday claimed that hoarders of black money are sitting in their palaces while the poor are 'bearing the brunt' of demonetisation. Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that the party is not opposed to the government's fight against black money but is against the common man being put to hardship and inconvenience in the name of a crackdown on black money. "It is not only the matter of opposition. It is a matter of 100 crore citizens. We are always against corruption and black money. I just want to ask that people who are standing in the queue of the ATMs are they involved in black money? But the people are suffering. I just want to say that this is not done with proper management. The hoarders of black money are sitting in their palaces while the poor people are 'bearing the brunt'," he said. He said the government should have planned well before announcing its decision on the demonetisation of higher currency notes. "Centre should call for an all party meet and listen to everyone. Some BJP member are putting their view silently and some openly. I think the government should bring an all party meeting to hear on this matter. We will putforth our demand in the meeting if it takes place," he added. Responding to reports of party chief Uddhav Thackeray holding talks with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in connection with opposing Centre's move of banning high denomination notes, he said it is true and added that the Shiv Sena would do anything to help the common man. Meanwhile, hailing the demonetisation drive initiated by the Centre, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi breaking all the stereotypes has created a new 'normal' with this historic endeavour. Jaitley while addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary meet said that banning of high-currency notes was a significant step taken by the NDA regime, adding it took a lot of courage to do so. Taking the opposition parties to task for training guns on the government for not debating the demonetisation issue in Parliament, Jaitley said the Centre is ready for a debate, adding the political rivals are creating unnecessary ruckus for belittling this initiative. Jaitley also lambasted the opposition for accusing the Centre of leaking the news of banning high denomination notes to a select few. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha witnessed uproarious scenes today as a united opposition stuck to its demand to discuss the demonetisation issue under rules entailing voting. As soon as the House assembled, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated that the Question Hour should be suspended to start the discussion. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, however, did not allow the suspension. Opposition members belonging to the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Samajwadi Party trooped into the well of the House shouting slogans. Amid the din, Speaker adjourned the House till noon. (ANI)