India's Opposition Should Help Gov't Navigate Post-Demonetization Chaos - MP

The demonetization reform in India was the right measure to fight corruption despite difficulties faced by many people; and the country's opposition political parties should help the government resolve the resulting crisis, Amar Singh, an opposition member of the Indian parliament, told Sputnik on Monday.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — On November 9, Indian authorities launched a currency reform aimed at fighting corruption and shadow economy, under which the banknotes with the nominal value of 500 and 1000 rupees (about $8 and $15) will be withdrawn from circulation.

"Myself and my party fully support government demonitization drive… Black money is a parallel economy and it should be completely eradicated," Singh, the member of Samajwadi Party, said.

Singh stressed the importance of helping the government manage the crisis.

"My opinion is that opposition parties should help common people and opposition parties should collectively give advice to the government about what should be done more to lessen the problems of the people. We should give suggestions to the Prime Minister," Singh said.

Singh also pledged to put pressure on the  government for it to provide more administrative help to the population, in order for their problems to be solved.

The reform has led to long ATM lines and disrupted the normal cash flow of many businesses and daily activities of individuals. At least two protests are expected to take place on Monday, one in the eastern city of Calcutta and the other one in the south of the country, in Bangalore. A number of opposition parties, including the Congress Party and Aam Aadmi Party, have expressed their disagreement with the way the reform had been implemented.