The postponement of customary parliamentary party meeting on the opening day of every parliament session, without showing any reason giving scope to suspect BJP leadership is not happy with reaction from its own MPs on demonetization of higher value rupees. When the entire opposition up in arms cornering the government, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this one of the courageous step, party leadership seems to be worrying any negative comments from its own MPs will weaken the morale of the government.
On the first day of Parliament, on Wednesday, the meeting with MPs was suddenly postponed. Later another meeting was scheduled for Friday, which was decided few days ahead of Parliament session to explain party MPs on the demonetization move with a power point presentation. But this meeting was also postponed suddenly. A news was spread before beginning of Parliament sessions on Friday, that party chief Amit Shas will meet party MPs at 7 pm. The same meeting was also cancelled at 4 pm, without giving any explanation.
Though party had directed all MPs to visit their respective constituencies during week-end to explain general public on the need for denomentization, exposing opposition’s opposition for pretty political gains, most of MPs are seems to be not in enthusiasm. BJP’s Parliamentary Party office has given all the MPs, including those of its allies, a compilation of the RBI’s and Finance Ministry’s communication over demonetisation so that they could use the information to inform the masses and counter the opposition’s points.
BJP’s Porbandar MP from Narendra Modi’s home state Gujarat Vithal Radadia had openly criticised the move. Without mincing words, he said that the Centre’s demonetisation has adversely hit the agriculture sector and if “corrective measures” are not taken immediately, all agriculture marketing produce committees (APMCs) will have to remain shut for at least two months.
It is learnt that Amit Shah suspected that many more MPs may voice their apprehensions about this move, which may create embarrassment to prime minister. Even in both houses of Parliament, hardly any BJP MPs seen standing firmly in support of the government move, when the entire opposition shooting their arms against the government. Particularly, in Rajya Sabha party is seen in helpless condition. Barring couple of union ministers party MPs hardly coming in support of the government move.
That’s why the party forced to issue whip for all Rajya Sabha members asking them to be present in the House for three days starting Monday, as the united opposition looking to corner the government in Rajya Sabha on demonetisation issue.
