In a rare display on solidarities, India's main opposition parties joined hands on Monday to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government's demonetization move. The scrapping of high value currency has triggered a political war between the opposition and the government as Congress, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Samjawadi Party, Left and Bahujan Samaj Party dubbed the government's move to root out black money as a failed step. The opposition parties argued that in the name of curbing black money, common people are being made to suffer. Delhi's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that government had no game plan before making the big announcement on Nov. 8 as people are seen struggling in queue outside bank. Kejriwal also attacked Modi for talking about ending corruption despite having close relations with NCP chief Sharad Pawar. BSP chief Mayawati, on the other hand, claimed that Modi is losing people's support after demonetization as his rally in Ghazipur on Monday saw a poor turnout. She alleged that people from Bihar were brought to attend Modi's rally in trains without tickets. "Modi ji makes claims of fighting against corruption, but today BJP got its volunteers in trains without tickets for Ghazipur rally," said Mayawati. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav gave a sharp reaction to Modi's emotional appeal to bear the hardship for 50 days. "First he said things will get better in few days, then he said it will take 10 days. And in Goa he said 50 days," said Yadav. Meanwhile, Modi on Monday urged Indians to give him more time to resolve a cash crisis that followed the withdrawal of high-value notes, insisting the shock move would benefit the poor in the long run. His comments came as the government said it was increasing a weekly cash withdrawal limit and taking steps to help people in remote areas access money as frustration mounted. There have been huge queues outside banks and ATMs ever since they reopened last Thursday, two days after Modi announced that 500 ($7.50) and 1,000 rupee notes would no longer be legal tender in a bid to tackle corruption and tax evasion. Indians rely heavily on cash for their daily transactions and those living in rural areas or who do not have bank accounts have been particularly hard hit. Modi said he had been "pained" by the hardships people were facing, but insisted the move would ultimately benefit poor Indians. "I am aware you are facing difficulties with 500 and 1000 rupee notes ban. I understand the inconvenience," he said at a political rally in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state which goes to the polls next year. "I am really pained by the inconvenience and that is why I am working tirelessly to help people overcome this situation. "I will never let anyone loot money that belongs to India's poor." Banks remained open over the weekend to try to ease the crunch, but many ATMs were out of cash. The government has said it will take time for the machines to be recalibrated to accept the new notes, adding to the general frustration. On Monday Shaktikanta Das, India's secretary for economic affairs, said the government would increase a weekly withdrawal limit of 20,000 to 24,000 rupees. — Agencies
