10 opposition parties unite to highlight `people suffering'

NEW DELHI: Determined to keep their unity intact to mount a concerted attack on the government in Parliament during the winter session, leaders of 10 opposition parties met on Monday and decided to speak in “one voice“ in both Houses on the “sufferings of the people“ following the government's demonetisation move.

At the meeting, the leaders of these parties also decided not to budge from their demand for an adjournment motion in the

Lok Sabha

and a debate under a rule which entails voting in the Rajya Sabha, sources said.

The parties Congress, Trinamool Congress, CPI, CPM, DMK, BSP, JD(U), JMM, NCP and RJD decided to hold a meeting every day to chalk out joint strategy on a daily basis to take on the government and also hold a dharna at the Gandhi statue in the Parliament House premises on Wednesday or Thursday , sources said.

A second march by all the parties to the Rashtrapati Bhavan was also agreed upon, the date for which will be decided later. The parties are also considering a suggestion from Congress leaders to hold a nation-wide bandh to protest against the government's “draconian decision“ as a follow-up to the protest moves in Parliament.

Aam Aadmi Party was not represented at the meeting but sent in its consent to decisions taken, while SP leaders could not attend as its MPs were away , following the train accident near Kanpur.

“This is good news that opposition parties have decided to work together to alleviate sufferings of the people,“ TMC member Derek O'Brien told reporters.

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