JD(S) calls demonetisation "absurd" 

Bengaluru: JDS National Executive attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation move, terming it “absurd” and asked “like minded” parties to join hands in countering the “anti-democratic” ruling BJP-led NDA on all fronts.

The two-day meet, which concluded earlier this week, also elected former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and his son former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy as the party’s National and Karnataka State Unit Presidents respectively.

The unanimous election of the father-son duo has re- established the firm grip of the family over the party, which has considerable presence in Karnataka with the backing from the influential Vokkaliga community.

In its political resolution, JDS said “unprecedented financially absurd moves” claiming to be great economic reforms initiated by Modi starting with the demonetisation of high-value currency notes has paralysed the lives of crores of people belonging to the lowest and middle class layers of the society for more than a month.

“…more dangerous political emergency through back door by defeating the constitutional provisions is being cunningly introduced by the BJP dispensation for the convenience of the corporate,” the resolution alleged.

The five-page resolution, released to the media, was proposed by Kerala Irrigation Minister Mathue Thomas and seconded by Kumaraswamy.

Charging that India was facing an “alarming” situation, the resolution said ever since the Modi government came to power, “the country has been at the cross roads of history.” 

It said the erstwhile Janata Party Government of 1977 had ensured that citizen rights will never again be curtailed, adding that, “Now, to resist and defeat this fascist takeover and the anti-democratic corporate rule of the country, unity of all democratic, secular and socialist forces is required.” 

Referring to the sufferings faced by people belonging to different sections following demonetisation and reported deaths because of it, the resolution said multi-millionaires, richest and those in the “good books” of the ruling party have never had any problem in the crisis.

Alleging that the role of the Parliament itself was totally ignored in shaping the destiny of the country with the Prime Minister not ‘properly’ attending its sessions and answering the issues raised by the Opposition, it said “days to come will definitely bring out further casualties in the society.” 

For the first time, in the history of India, communalism ‘sponsored’ by the government itself has started to dominate the social fabric, it charged, adding minorities were not only attacked and humiliated but a conspiracy was designed to pressurise them to heed to the will and wish of the communal forces.