Rahul Gandhi to speak on 2024 Union Budget in Lok Sabha.
On Friday, the Congress MP joined an INDIA bloc protest against the 2024 Union Budget at the Parliament complex. The protest was organized in response to concerns raised by the opposition regarding various aspects of the budget, which they believe fail to address critical economic and social issues. The MP, along with other opposition leaders, voiced their discontent, arguing that the budget does not adequately support marginalized communities or address the growing economic disparity. The demonstration aimed to highlight the need for more inclusive policies and transparency in the budgetary process.
New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi is expected to speak on the Union Budget 2024 at 2 pm in the Lower House today. This anticipated speech follows recent debates and discussions among Congress MPs about the importance of Rahul Gandhi addressing the House, especially given his role as a key opposition leader.
Sources indicate that Congress MPs are advocating for Rahul Gandhi to take the floor, highlighting the potential impact of his address. They argue that as the Leader of the Opposition, his insights and criticisms carry significant weight and are essential for presenting the opposition’s stance on the budget. This internal push comes despite Rahul Gandhi’s earlier comments suggesting that other members should also have the opportunity to speak. In a recent meeting with Congress Lok Sabha MPs, Rahul Gandhi expressed his view that since he had already spoken during the special session of Parliament, it would be fairer to allow others a chance to speak on a rotational basis. However, the pressure from his colleagues appears to be steering him toward delivering a speech today.
This session will be closely watched, especially given Rahul Gandhi’s critical stance on the Union Budget. In a recent Facebook post, he criticized the budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, describing it as an attack on India’s federal structure. According to him, the budget reflects a centralizing tendency that undermines the autonomy and dignity of the states, especially those governed by opposition parties. He accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of neglecting other states in favor of consolidating power, a move he believes discriminates against states not aligned with the BJP.
Rahul Gandhi’s criticism aligns with broader concerns raised by other opposition leaders. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking in the Rajya Sabha, also accused the BJP-led government of discrimination in the allocation of resources, claiming that the budget disproportionately favored only two states. He suggested that the budget was designed more to secure the BJP’s political survival, particularly its alliances with parties like JD-U and TDP, rather than to serve the country’s broader interests. Kharge’s brief speech highlighted a sentiment of frustration and accusation of political maneuvering at the expense of equitable development.
The INDIA bloc protest, which Rahul Gandhi participated in, was part of a series of actions taken by opposition parties to express their discontent with the budget. This coalition of opposition parties has been vocal in criticizing what they see as a lack of inclusive growth measures and a failure to address pressing social and economic issues. Their protest at the Parliament complex on Friday aimed to draw public attention to these perceived shortcomings and to challenge the government’s narrative on the budget’s benefits.
Today’s session in the Lok Sabha is expected to be particularly significant, as Rahul Gandhi’s speech, if it takes place, will be a focal point of the day’s proceedings. It will offer him a platform to articulate the Congress party’s objections to the budget and to propose alternatives. The outcome of this session could influence public perception and potentially shape the political discourse in the coming weeks. The anticipation surrounding his speech underscores the critical role that opposition voices play in India’s parliamentary democracy, particularly in holding the government accountable and advocating for diverse regional and national interests.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, today’s discussions in Parliament will likely provide further insight into the strategies and priorities of both the ruling and opposition parties. For Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party, this is a crucial moment to assert their position and to connect with voters who may be dissatisfied with the current government’s policies. Whether or not Rahul Gandhi ultimately decides to speak, the day’s events will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing debate about India’s economic direction and the distribution of resources among its states.