Opposition MPs Stage Walkout In Rajya Sabha Amid Budget Controversy

In a dramatic display of dissent, leaders from the INDIA bloc staged protests in and outside Parliament today, condemning what they term 'discrimination' against opposition-ruled states in the newly presented Union Budget. The walkout from both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha set a tumultuous tone for the day's proceedings, following Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's remarks that the Budget could not name every state individually.

#WATCH | Opposition MPs walk out from the Rajya Sabha. pic.twitter.com/4pHVNWTXKA

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2024

The decision to protest was formalized during a high-level meeting at Mallikarjun Kharge's residence on Tuesday evening. Prominent leaders in attendance included Rahul Gandhi, Congress' deputy leaders Pramod Tiwari and Gaurav Gogoi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, TMC's Derek O'Brien and Kalyan Banerjee, DMK's TR Baalu, JMM's Mahua Maji, AAP's Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh, and CPI(M)'s John Brittas. Congress general secretaries KC Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh also participated in the discussions.

As part of their protest, Congress chief ministers announced they will boycott the NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for July 27. KC Venugopal criticized the government’s approach, claiming it is 'completely antithetical to Constitutional principles' and accused it of attempting to obscure the regime's discriminatory practices.

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Finance Minister Sitharaman, presenting her seventh consecutive budget, outlined key points including rewards for NDA allies, tax relief for new taxpayers, and job creation initiatives. She highlighted changes such as increasing the standard deduction in the new tax regime from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000, and revising tax slabs to benefit a broader income range. Notable measures include a one-month Provident Fund contribution for first-time employees and increased exemption limits for capital gains.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the budget, asserting it lays a strong foundation for a self-reliant India and supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the country’s development by 2047.

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The budget also allocated significant projects for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, with plans for expressways and power plants in Bihar and infrastructure projects in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting the recent alignment of their political leaders with the BJP.