Opposition Alliance To Protest Against Union Budget In Parliament

In a strategic move, the opposition INDIA bloc has announced plans to stage a protest in Parliament on Wednesday against the recently tabled Union Budget, which they claim discriminates against states ruled by opposition parties.

The INDIA bloc leaders decided this on Tuesday, following the Union Finance Minister’s budget presentation.

The meeting saw attendance from prominent leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Pramod Tiwari and Gaurav Gogoi of Congress, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, TMC’s Derek O’Brien and Kalyan Banerjee, DMK’s T R Baalu, JMM’s Mahua Maji, AAP’s Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh, and CPI(M)’s John Brittas.

Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh were also present.

In addition to the parliamentary protest, the INDIA bloc has declared that Congress Chief Ministers will boycott the NITI Aayog meeting set for 27 July.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has also confirmed his non-participation in the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting, citing the government’s antithetical attitude to Constitutional principles.

K C Venugopal criticized the government, stating, “We will not participate if it is solely designed to hide the discriminatory colours of this regime.”

Sitharaman Presents Seventh Budget, First Of Modi’s Third Term

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget for 2024-25 on Tuesday, marking her seventh consecutive budget presentation and surpassing the record of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai.

This budget is also the first under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term in office.

In response to the criticism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media, stating, “The Economic Survey highlights the prevailing strengths of our economy and also showcases the outcomes of the various reforms our Government has brought. It also identifies areas for further growth and progress as we move towards building a Viksit Bharat.”

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