CHENNAI: Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on Thursday demanded voting in both Houses of Parliament on the demonetisation of high value currencies and moves to end the sufferings of the people. Speaking to reporters at Kolathur after the end of the human chain protest organised by the DMK, Stalin said the purpose of the DMK’s protest was not against eradicating black money. The move to demonetise high currency notes had hit the poor people living on a hand-to-mouth existence, merchants and middle classes. The DMK is only condemning the woes caused to the public.
He said while the ruling parties at the centre and state are claiming that people are on their sides, they are waiting near the banks. Even though, the centre had introduced Rs. 2,000 notes, people are not able to get change for it. People are also waiting to exchange Rs. 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The Centre should have brought a large number of Rs 100 and Rs. 500 notes into circulation before starting the demonetisation process. Though, the objective of the move is to eradicate black money, those with such money are peaceful and those who are not connected with it are facing the brunt of the decision, the DMK treasurer said.
DMK's human chain protest which attracted good attention from the public on a cool evening amidst the bustling people and moving traffic turned out to be DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin's road show. The DMK youth wing leader who inaugurated the human chain protest at Purasawalkam, took an open auto and inspected the human chain till his constituency Kolathur. Waving to the protesters along the way, amid slogans hailing him and party leader M. Karunanidhi, he encouraged the cadres along the route. He also got down at some places and spoke to the people and cadre, listening to their views with attention.
After some time, Stalin switched to a car and inspecting the human chain throught the glass window. His vehicle drove through Purasawalkam, Arayanavaram and reached Kolathur. He got down at Kolathur to conclude the protest. He said the protest on November 28 is not a protest of the DMK and it was a joint nation-wide agitation announced by all the opposition parties in the country. DMK would support the agitations, he added. The protest was held throughout the state with DMK senior leaders I. Periyasamy, K.N. Nehru, district secretaries and functionaries taking part in the headquarters of all the districts.
