<!– /11440465/Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>As business in Parliament remained paralysed, the government and BJP turned their attention to ensuring that they did not lose political capital from demonetization in times of polls. Just when both houses adjourned for the day amidst an Opposition-government standoff on the issue, BJP chief Amit Shah walked into the Parliament House complex and had a 45-minute meeting with finance minister Arun Jaitley in his office. Sources said the agenda of the meeting was political. Finance secretary Shaktikanta Das was also present at the meeting. With elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab due early next year, the BJP cannot afford to allow the inconvenience caused to the common man post demonetization, particularly in rural areas, to continue for too long. Sources said government will focus on agriculture sector over the next eight to ten days to make farmers secure during the Rabi season. While the BJP is confident of gaining political mileage from demonetization in the long run, the government would have to take immediate steps to mitigate the hardships in the immediate aftermath of the announcement.Meanwhile, inside Parliament, the government seems to be in no hurry to engage with the Opposition in finding a way out of the deadlock. While the Opposition is insisting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence in Rajya Sabha and an adjournment motion to discuss demonetization in Lok Sabha, the government appears to be buying time before either House debates it.The government has taken a slew of measures—allowing farmers to buy seeds with old Rs 500 notes in Rabi crop sowing season, RBI providing an additional 60 days to repay loans and mulling over giving cooperative banks money which they can disburse through NABARD to help farmers.Hoping that the troubles post demonetization will wane as time goes, the government is adopting a wait and watch approach. While given the majority in Lok Sabha, the government does not have to fear the fallout of an adjournment motion, it could be sensitive about its wording. However, the government is yet to reach out to the Opposition, sources said.The government has not given in to the Opposition demand for the Prime Minister’s intervention in the Upper House, saying their concerns will be answered by the finance minister.
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Amid House logjam, government and BJP firefight oppn’s note ban offensive
