India's opposition parties appear in no mood to tone down their criticism against the government's demonetisation move and the stage looks set for further confrontation.
Most opponents of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, notably the Congress, have demanded that the government should roll back its November 8 decision to scrap the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.
The controversial issue has disrupted parliament proceedings as well as caused street protests across the country.
In Parliament, the BJP-led government faced strong criticism from senior Congress leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the demonetisation drive as a 'monumental mismanagement' of the economy. Using uncharacteristically strong words, he said it was an "organised loot and legalised plunder" of the country.
The government on its part has deployed BJP stalwarts to counter opposition charges, while listing the economic benefits of its monetary move, announced by Modi in a televised address.
Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has flatly rejected any review of the government's decision.
"Wapas lena Modi ji ke khoon mein nahi hai (retreating is not in Modi's blood)," he said speaking at a public gathering.
With both the opposition and the ruling establishment sticking to their respective stands, it looks likely that protests inside and outside Parliament will continue.
On Monday, opposition parties organised rallies and shutdowns across India. The impact was seen strong in opposition strongholds of West Bengal, Kerala, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh.
Modi has denounced such protests, saying while his party is trying to curb corruption, opposition parties are busy blocking his efforts.
The prime minister held a meeting with senior ministers on Monday to discuss the impact of demonetisation as repeated adjournments in parliament have disrupted debates on other important issues.
As Uttar Pradesh and Punjab are preparing for assembly elections, there is speculation that the decision to demonetise high-denomination currency notes was taken to hurt BJP's rivals in the states where money power is crucial to fund election campaigns.
Among the BJP's biggest rivals are Bahujan Samajwadi Party leader Mayawati and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. They have bitterly attacked the BJP, accusing it of playing politics with the demonetisation scheme.
The West Bengal chief minister has accused Modi of destabilising the Indian economy and misusing the government machinery. On Tuesday, she met Bihar leaders, notably Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, to discuss further action against demonetisation.
Lalu wrote on Twitter that Banerjee discussed difficulties faced by people due to the "improper implementation" of demonetisation and the RJD would join her protest.
Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi party has hurled similar charges at the BJP, saying there is an attempt by the Modi government to financially harm its political opponents ahead of the assembly elections.
AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who often locks horns with the Modi government on various issues in the national capital, is among the harshest critics of the currency ban. He has threatened to launch nationwide protests, highlighting inconvenience to average people queuing up outside banks and ATMs for cash.
Dismissing opposition protests, Modi insists the move enjoys wide public support. According to his website, 90 per cent of the 500,000 people who took part in a survey on his app backed the move, while 92 per cent believed it will have an impact on curbing black money, corruption and terrorism.
