Budget Session: The second phase of the Budget session begins on Monday amid an ongoing political tussle between the opposition parties and the BJP-led Centre over various issues. The first phase of the session witnessed massive protests by the opposition leaders over the Adani row and other matters. Now, the parties are preparing to corner the government over a range of issues in the second phase of the session. 


The second part of the Budget session comes after three northeastern states went to polls, and several opposition leaders were questioned by the central agencies among others. There are also 35 bills pending which the Centre would try to clear during this sitting of the House. 


Here Are Top Points For The Second Phase Of Budget Session 


 


Oppn Leaders To Meet Ahead Of Session 


Leaders of the opposition parties will hold a meeting on Monday morning to strengthen their floor strategy for the second leg of the Budget session, reported PTI.  


The opposition leaders are likely to meet at the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge's office in the Parliament complex at around 10 am.  


Congress MPs are also expected to gather at the Congress Parliamentary Party office before the meeting to discuss the party's strategy. 


 


Opposition To Raise ‘Misuse’ Of Probe Agencies Issue 


Central probe agencies – Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have been recently working on various cases conducting raids and searches across the country. The recent action of the agencies against the former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia in the excise policy case has irked the opposition parties. Several opposition leaders wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the action against Sisodia. 


The ED also recently summoned BRS leader and Telangana CM KCR's daughter K Kavitha in the Delhi liquor policy case.


Furthermore, the questioning of former Bihar CM Rabri Devi, ex-Union Minister Lalu Yadav in the land-for-job case and summons to Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav has also been a bone of contention between the Centre and opposition. 


Recently, in reaction to CBI’s action over Lalu Yadav and his family, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that it was happening because his party JDU has stitched an alliance with the RJD. 


According to PTI, parties such as the Samajwadi Party, Left parties and the DMK have also lodged strong protests against the alleged attack on the federal structure and the misuse of institutions. Congress whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore said that the party will strongly raise the issue of "misuse" of agencies. 


Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday slammed the Centre over the ED searches on the premises of Prasad's family and accused the Modi government of making "sinister attempts to kill democracy" by misusing probe agencies against opposition leaders. 


 


Adani Row Likely To Be Brought Up Again 


The Hindenburg report on Indian conglomerate Gautam Adani’s companies had hit the first leg of the Budget session severely with the opposition demanding a probe into the entire matter. Since then, the leaders have been asking for Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to conduct an inquiry into the issue. 


The protests had led to several disruptions during the last sitting of the House 


The Trinamool Congress is strategising to raise the issue of LIC and SBI's risk exposure, price rise of essential commodities, and unemployment during the second phase of the Budget session, PTI reported citing TMC MP, Derek O'Brien. He said that his party will also focus on cornering the government of alleged misuse of probe agencies. 


He said LIC's risk exposure and price rise affect the lives and savings of the common people and should be highlighted. The TMC will also raise the issue of "political vendetta" against non-BJP-ruled states in Parliament and also question the Centre on "holding back funds for schemes such as MGNREGA", O'Brien said. 


 


Rahul Gandhi’s Comments In UK 


Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s UK visit has had a ripple effect in Indian political corners too. His remarks on ‘danger’ to Indian democracy, ‘voice of opposition’ being silenced did not go well with the ruling disposition in the country. The BJP has been, since then, ciriticising the leader for his ‘anti-national’ and ‘insulting’ remarks on foreign land. His remarks at Cambridge University, and his views on RSS drew sharp reactions from the BJP in India. 


Without naming Gandhi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar also criticised his comments. Days after Gandhi’s remarks, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday asserted that all lawmakers enjoy the "unhindered right" to express their views in Parliament. 


Birla was addressing the 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Manama, Bahrain, reported PTI. 


"In India, we have a robust participatory democracy and a vibrant multi-party system where hopes and aspirations of citizens find expression through the elected representatives. All members enjoy the freedom to express their views and thoughts in Lok Sabha," he said. 


Birla did not mention Rahul Gandhi in his speech, but his remarks are seen as a response to the Congress leader’s claim at an event in London that the voice of the opposition was 'silenced’ in Parliament. 


 


Tripura Post-Poll Violence 


The conclusion of elections in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland brought good news for the BJP as it has become the part of ruling alliance in all three of them. However, the issue of post-poll violence in Tripura is likely to be raised during the second phase of the budget session. 


Taking a serious note of the clashes and violence in Tripura, a Left-Congress delegation on Saturday said it will raise the issue in Parliament to bring the matter to the knowledge of all countrymen. 


Members of the delegation, who were attacked by miscreants in Nehalchandranagar on Friday, during its tour of violence-hit areas, said that senior leaders of the Left and the Congress will meet President Droupadi Murmu to apprise her of the "terror tactics unleashed by the BJP and RSS" in states ruled by the saffron camp, reported PTI. 


Addressing a press conference on the issue, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP Elmaram Kareem claimed that the "BJP-RSS- backed goons have not just mounted attacks on the people of the state but also destroyed means of their livelihood", as many of them were forced to leave their homes. 


"The police are not taking action against the troublemakers, allowing them to roam about free for more vandalism in the northeastern state. It appears that law and order have completely collapsed in Tripura and the government has miserably failed to maintain peace," he told reporters, quoted PTI. 


Kareem was part of the delegation of seven MPs and senior leaders who had come in Tripura to take stock of the situation. He added that "the fact-finding delegation had called on Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya and briefed him about the prevailing condition" in the state. 


"We will raise this issue of post-election violence in both houses of Parliament to draw the attention of the country. People outside the state are not aware about the very serious situation here," he added. 


Reacting to this, BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharjee alleged that a "deep-rooted conspiracy" was behind the attack on the delegation. 


"The Left and the Congress are simply trying to defame the BJP at the national stage. Chief Minister Manik Saha, who is in Delhi, has already spoken to the DGP and instructed him to take stern legal action on those involved in the attack. Senior party leaders have also discussed the matter with local functionaries," said Bhattacharjee. 


The Budget session will conclude on April 6.