Sena’s stand on notes ban firm despite Rajnath call

Despite the BJP’s attempt to iron out differences, the Shiv Sena continued firing salvos at the Narendra Modiled government, saying former party chief Bal Thackeray should have been alive to chop the tongues of those likening people’s demonetisation despair to patriotism.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday after the latter’s party joined an opposition march to Rashtrapati Bhavan against the government’s demonetisation move.

The march, led by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, was also joined by parties such as the Aam Aadmi Party. However, while other parties are pushing for immediate withdrawal of demonetization — the sudden decommissioning of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination currency notes — the Sena has been criticising the implementation method for inconveniencing people. Uddhav said, “We are with the government in its war against black money. But the prohibitions on district cooperative banks on accepting the decommissioned currency notes, and other such impractical restrictions should be lifted. The common man is not a thief. If the intention is good, then make sure even the implementation process is good.”