CPI(M) for joint agitation on cooperative issue, Cong differ

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) in Kerala on Sunday, said the party was for a joint agitation along with Congress-led UDF against the Centre in the wake of cooperative sector coming to a standstill following demonetisation even as KPCC said there was no need for such a stir.

"The suggestion of the party is to have a joint stir along with other political parties against the Centre's decision. But, if a consensus in this regard was not reached, party-led LDF would launch separate agitation," CPI(M) state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told, after the party state committee meet.

Stating that cooperative sector was facing severe crisis due to Centre's decision not to allow it to deal with exchange of old currencies of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denominations, Balakrishnan said LDF would organise mass agitation to save the sector from the "onslaught of Centre's negative attitude".

"CPI(M) wants that all parties should move together. The party wanted the government to take such an approach during an all-party meeting to be held here tomorrow to work out strategy to challenge the Centre's decision," he said.

The Government has also called for a special session of assembly on November 22 to discuss the difficulties faced by cooperative societies.

Taking exception to the proposal of some UDF leaders for a joint stir on the issue, KPCC president V M Sudheeran said "all political parties other than BJP have come out against Narendra Modi government's attitude towards cooperative sector. There is no necessity to think about a joint stir," he said in a Facebook post.

"Each party and coalition is in the agitation front," he said.

He also questioned the dharna by LDF led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in front of the RBI office here on November 18, as first phase of stir against what they termed as Centre's move to destroy cooperative sector in the state.

"Actually it would have been more appropriate if the Chief Minister had observed the dharna at national capital which is the headquarters of Union government," Sudheeran said.