Bengal CM will be in Delhi tomorrow for some serious political dialogue over demonetisation

Mamata Banerjee will arrive in Delhi tomorrow and the chief minister has already chalked out her course of action already.  Mamata seems to be gearing up to weave a new political design on the issue of demonetisation and is seen  as one leading the charge against the Narendra Modi government.

She is expected to land in the second half of the day and get into some serious political dialogue. Though she has kept her entire plans under wraps, but sources said that she is slated to meet President Pranab Mukherjee day after tomorrow at around 1:30pm  to raise the demonetization issue and how people are facing difficulties by this policy that she has termed ‘draconian’.

Mamata earlier in an unprecedented move called up arch rival CPIM chief Sitaram Yechury to join hands on this issue forcing CPIM to distance itself from the overture.

Sitaram Yechury said, “Those who are tainted in Narada and Sarada are now talking of black money”. In a way it also helps CPIM to assuage it’s Bengal unit which was dead against of any such strategic cooperation.

She also called up JDU chief and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and even Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. She was even contemplating a march to President house in a way opposition leaders marched against Land Acquisition Bill.

Sources in the Congress Party say their view and that of TMC is similar on the matter. But the reason they are ‘cautious’ is because Mamata wants to project herself leading the opposition charge. On the other hand though JDU has criticised the government over its ill preparedness but supported it over the larger interest of eradicating black money.

Sources say many Opposition leaders were willing to work with her but not in a way where the TMC boss is seen as the one leading the pack. It is because of this she has only two parties giving her assurance to be by her, come what may on this issue despite a plethora of national and regional parties sharing the same anti demonetisation sentiment.

Aam Admi Party and the National Conference are believed to have assured Mamata of support. But no support from Congress, RJD, JDU, Samajwadi party so far.

Ghulam Nabi Azad called a meeting of all opposition parties today where Sudip Bandopadhaya and Derek O Brien represented TMC that was also attended by Yechury but sources say there no interaction between TMC and CPIM apart from a frosty handshake between Sitaram and Derek O Brien.

So Mamata’s Mission Delhi is all about convincing old friends and few detractors to join hands. Mamata will also visit the parliament and speak with these party leaders at Central Hall. She has deputed Derek to keep the channel of communication open with parties who have openly supported the government’s move but not happy with its implementation.

It can be seen as Mamata’s efforts to forge a political alliance on demonetisation. She has entrusted her lieutenant Derek to exploit the channels of communication.

Kolkata 24x7