Opposition INDIA Bloc Protests Union Budget In Parliament, Claims Discrimination

On Wednesday, leaders from the opposition INDIA bloc staged a significant protest on the Parliament premises, voicing strong objections to the recently presented Union Budget.

The protestors accused the Budget of discriminating against states governed by opposition parties.

Armed with posters and chanting slogans, the leaders criticized the Budget, alleging that it was designed solely to protect the ruling party’s interests rather than address the needs of all states.

The protestors claimed that the Budget disproportionately benefited states like Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, leaving out states under opposition rule.

Key figures in the protest included Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, General Secretary K C Venugopal, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress MP Dola Sen, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, and several other prominent MPs.

The protest was a direct response to the Budget presentation by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, which occurred on Tuesday.

The INDIA bloc had decided on this course of action during a meeting on Tuesday, held shortly after the Budget.

In addition to the protest, Congress Chief Ministers have announced their decision to boycott the NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for 27 July.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin also confirmed his non-participation in the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting.

K C Venugopal expressed strong disapproval, stating, “This government’s stance is entirely contrary to Constitutional principles. We will not engage if the agenda is merely to obscure the discriminatory nature of this regime.”

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

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s presentation of the 2024-25 Budget marked her seventh consecutive presentation, surpassing the record held by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai.

In response to the criticism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to promote the Budget, 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.”

The opposition’s protest underscores the ongoing tensions between the government and opposition parties, with both sides preparing for a contentious debate over the Budget’s implications.

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