Opposition INDIA Bloc MPs to Protest ‘Discriminatory’ Budget in Parliament

Opposition INDIA bloc MPs will stage a protest in Parliament on Wednesday against the “discriminatory” Budget tabled by the Narendra Modi government.

This decision was made at a meeting of INDIA bloc allies on Tuesday, following Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s presentation of the Budget. “We had a detailed discussion on this budget. This budget is zero in the name of development. We will protest against this budget tomorrow outside Parliament and raise our voice inside. This budget is against the federal structure of India,” stated Pramod Tiwari, Congress’ Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin announced that DMK MPs will also protest in Delhi against the Budget. He also declared his intention to boycott the NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for July 27, alleging that the Centre “ignored” Tamil Nadu in the Budget. Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states will similarly boycott the meeting.

Opposition Reactions

Opposition parties on Tuesday criticized the first Budget of the third Narendra Modi government, calling it a Budget for “NDA allies in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh” that excluded other states. The Congress called it a “ ‘save Modi government’ Budget,” the Trinamool Congress (TMC) labeled it “politically biased and anti-poor,” and the Samajwadi Party (SP) claimed it overlooked the interests of the youth and farmers.

“The Finance Minister has taken a leaf out of the INC’s Nyay Patra 2024, with its internship program clearly modeled on the INC’s proposed Apprenticeship Program called Pehli Naukri Pakki. However, in their trademark style, the scheme has been designed to grab headlines, with arbitrary targets (1 crore internships) rather than a programmatic guarantee for all diploma holders and graduates, like the Indian National Congress had envisioned,” said Jairam Ramesh, head of Congress communications.

Protests and Boycotts

YSR Congress Protests in Delhi: YSR Congress (YSRCP) chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy will lead a peaceful protest in New Delhi on Wednesday to highlight the “lawlessness and anarchy” that have plagued Andhra Pradesh since the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) assumed power. “We will hold a peaceful protest in New Delhi on the 24th of this month to draw the nation’s attention to the lawlessness and anarchy that have plagued Andhra Pradesh in the 45 days since the Chandrababu Naidu regime has come to power,” Reddy stated on social media. YSRCP MLAs, MPs, and MLCs will participate in the protest.

Uttarakhand Congress’ Kedarnath Bachao Padyatra: The Uttarakhand Congress will begin a padyatra from Wednesday to protest against the proposed construction of a replica of the Kedarnath temple in Delhi. The Kedarnath Bachao Padyatra will start from Haridwar on July 24 and conclude at Kedarnath Dham, Uttarakhand Congress president Karan Mahara said. Senior party leader Harish Rawat will also join the padyatra in Rishikesh and Agastyamuni.

Chhattisgarh Congress Assembly Gherao: The Congress will gherao the Chhattisgarh Assembly on Friday to protest against the alleged deteriorating law and order situation, particularly the violence in Balodabazar city last month. The monsoon session of the Assembly, currently in progress, will conclude on July 26. State Congress chief Deepak Baij highlighted the increasing violence and criminal activities under the Vishnu Deo Sai government, accusing the BJP of failing to protect the common man.