Modi's 'notebandi' like Indira's sterlisation decision, BJP will lose LS polls: CPM

CPI(M) on Monday drew a parallel between impact of Indira Gandhi government's 'nasbandi' (sterilisation) decision and Narendra Modi's 'notebandi' (demonetisation) move, saying the ruling BJP will face defeat in 2019 general polls like Congress in 1977.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury made a remark in this regard at an event in Delhi.Speaking at the event, Yechury also reiterated CPI(M)'s opposition to advancing budget presentation, terming the move as a farce and said such move means projecting financial plan for next year on the basis of inadequate data.

"If you had conducted a survey during emergency about 'nasbandi', you would have found people in favour of it also," Yechury shot back when asked about an opinion poll suggesting people are favouring demonetisation.

He sarcastically said, "you could see the joy of nasbandi in 1977 polls" (when ruling Congress faced defeat). You will (now) see joy of demonetisation in 2019 polls. My comparison is not of nasbandi with notebandi, but their impacts."

Yechury also stated ground realities were different and farmers, fishermen, daily wage earners, vendors and others were among worst hit.

The alleged forced sterilization carried out during the Indira Gandhi regime is considered as one of the reasons besides imposition of Emergency to have gone against the then ruling Congress, leading to its defeat in the 1977 general elections.

Stating data of three quarters is crucial for making right projections for next fiscal, Yechury said that advancing budget presentation will mean having inadequate information to work out the financial plan.

Now, this is reducing the budget exercise to a farce by preponing budget you don't have the data of third quarter.

This would have been wrong even in normal times. But demonetisation was brought in third quarter. Now this remains totally overlooked and budget is presented, he said.