Those opposing you aren't anti-nationals, Mr. PM: Trinamool Congress

Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress have since been up in arms against the Modi government, accusing it of politically using the CBI and the ED.

New Delhi, Nov 24 The Trinamool Congress in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday flayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for criticising those opposing the demonetisation move and asserted the government cannot suppress the voices of the people.

Leading the party's charge against demonetisation in the house, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien said: "Anyone who opposes your policy, Mr. Prime Minister, is not anti-national or in favour of black money. Why are you giving us this lecture on corruption and black money?"

"We are opposing you because we believe this will kill the economy. Why do you think that you are some messiah and all of us are demons. Why are you making this an issue?" he added.

Pointing to the opposition parties closing ranks and mounting a united fight against demonetisation, O'Brien said: "All opposition parties are together, it is no more a solo voice. It's a chorus of the people. You cannot suppress the voice of the people."

Charging the government with using central probe agencies to intimidate the opposition, O'Brien even dared Modi to put Trinmaool supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in jail.

"Try, as you may, through your agencies to hassle and harass us. That will give us more conviction to fight against you. Put Mamata Di in jail if you want," he said.

Several of Trinamool high-profile leaders, including some members of parliament, have been arrested and interrogated by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Saradha Group chit-fund scam in West Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress have since been up in arms against the Modi government, accusing it of politically using the CBI and the ED.

O'Brien's charges in the house came on a day when Banerjee, for the second time in a week, personally raised the demonetisation issue with President Pranab Mukherjee when she called on him.

IANS