CPI (M) questions "fascist" govt., draws attention to "trast" Bharat

New Delhi [India], Nov. 16 (ANI): Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Wednesday dubbed demonetisation as a "fascistic way" on part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to control people's personal lives and alleged that the ruling dispensation has created mayhem in the nation leaving the people troubled. "Now we have Modi Antoinette, "If you don't have paper, use plastic"; what is the coverage of your plastic money? If you stop Rs 500/1000 notes, do you think corruption will stop? Now corruption will double with Rs 2000 notes," he said. Yechury said the people are suffering and the suffering is increasing by the day. "Why are you agonising people? What is this fascistic way of controlling people's personal lives? There is a 'chamakta' (shining) India, for them Paytm and electronic wallets are viable. What about the 'trasta' (troubled) Bharat?" asked Yechury. "What is the mayhem you have created? There so many suicides. The people can't get their father, mother treated in hospital," he added. Participating in the discussion on demonetisation in the Rajya Sabha, Yechury questioned the logic behind demonetisation and wondered whether this move will curb illicit wealth and stop corruption. "None of the points said by PM stand on any strong footing, whether its terror funding, black money, counterfeit currency, or corruption. If none of the objectives are to be fulfilled by this, what is the meaning of this move? PM said 50 days more required for alternative arrangement to come into place. Till those alternative arrangements are not in place, allow these notes to be transacted for all white transactions, public purposes," Yechury said, adding the small fishes are dying while the crocodiles are enjoying. The CPI (M) leader stated that what is called demonetisation is 86 percent of our cash transactions, adding the country today is living on cash transactions of just 14 percent. About 40 MPs today took part in a march against Demonetisation drive. Leaders of the other opposition parties, including the Congress, the Left , SP and BSP did not take part in the march. While the opposition parties participating in the march demanded a complete reversal of the demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes, the Shiv Sena differed on the issue and insisted that the government extend the deadline of accepting old currency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8 announced the decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, leading to huge queues outside banks and ATMs to exchange the banned notes, deposit them, or withdraw currency that is legal tender. Earlier, President Mukherjee welcomed the bold step taken by the government which will help unearth unaccounted money as well as counterfeit currency, a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement said. President Mukherjee called upon people not to panic and to follow the government's guidelines for exchanging currency notes of Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 denomination available with them. (ANI)