Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Tuesday after Opposition members demanded a debate on the Centre’s demonetisation scheme. Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party legislators had passed a congratulatory motion in favour demonetisation, lauding its purported success in curbing black money.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had led the BJP MPs’ meeting, called on his party members to “counter the misinformation about demonetisation being circulated by the Opposition” with awareness on the benefits of the decision. The Opposition, however, announced that it would stage a sit-in protest outside the Parliament on Wednesday.

Modi said the controversial move against black money was “the beginning”. On the other hand, the Opposition said the prime minister needed to justify his decision in the Rajya Sabha, where his government is in a minority, and have demanded Modi’s presence in Parliament followed by a vote, NDTV reported. A meeting between representatives of 10 Opposition parties, led by the Congress, is under way to discuss a strategy against the ban. The Opposition is also scheduled to meet the president.

Describing the currency ban as a courageous and historic decision, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, “By stopping the normal of past 70 years, PM Modi has created a new normal.” On Twitter, Modi asked citizens to share their “first-hand view on the decision”. “Take part in the survey on the Narendra Modi App,” he said.

The country has been grappling with a cash crunch since the Centre demonetised the high-value currency notes. The Supreme Court had observed that the long queues seen outside banks since the move was announced was serious problem that could even lead to riots. The surprise decision has met with massive criticism from Opposition parties. The Congress has accused the government of introducing “financial anarchy” in the country.

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