The Trinamool Congress on Monday hardened its stance against the central government by announcing that its members will not attend Parliament on Wednesday when the 2017-18 Budget will be presented.

The Trinamool Congress on Monday hardened its stance against the central government by announcing that its members will not attend Parliament on Wednesday when the 2017-18 Budget will be presented.

Still angry over the arrest of its MPs Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Tapas Pal by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Rose Valley Group chit fund scam, the party said it would also not attend the all-party meeting, that took place on Monday.

"Trinamool MPs will not be present in Parliament on the first two days of the Budget session in protest against demonetisation, which was implemented without taking Parliament into confidence, and restrictions on withdrawal limits from bank accounts which are still in force," a statement from the party office said.

"In the ensuing session, Trinamool will, among other issues, raise the issue of illegal arrest of its Lok Sabha leader and another MP, which is a clear case of political vendetta by the ruling party at the Centre by misusing CBI and abusing its power." 

The reason the Trinamool MPs would not be attending Parliament on Budget day is also the Saraswati Puja, which is a "big day in Bengal", said party leader and MP Derek O'Brien.

Custom has it that on Saraswati Puja people keep away from work and not even touch the tools of their trade. 

"Saraswati Puja is beyond a religious festival. It is a socio-cultural festival of Bengal," O'Brien added.

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