Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s brief presence and exchange of pleasantries with his predecessor Manmohan Singh and other leaders of opposition parties in Rajya Sabha, failed to pacify them and called for a nationwide strike (Bharat Bandh) on November 28 against the demonetization drive by the Modi government.

Earlier in the day, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the opposition in Rajya Sabha attacking the government and terming demonetization a “monumental management failure.” The opposition which was stalling Rajya Sabha proceedings since Nov 17, insisting the presence of the prime minister, today resumed debate after his presence in the house.

However, after the lunch break when the house reassembled, the opposition objected with the absence of the prime minister. Leader of Opposition Ghulab Nabi Azad said “the Prime Minister should be present in the House for the debate to go on.”

Hitting out at Azad, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley angrily said it has become very clear that the Opposition doesn’t want a debate. Now they are finding different ways to run away from it. Later, the house was adjourned till Friday after opposition created uproar and stormed the well over Prime Minister’s absence in the house post lunch, demanding his presence throughout debate on demonetization.

Meanwhile, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechuri given privilege motion against prime minister accusing him of not attending Rajya Sabha to hear members concerns on demonetization. “With out hearing our concerns how can he give reply to us?”, he asked.