I.N.D.I.A Bloc Leaders To Protest Against 'Discriminatory' Union Budget In Parliament Today

Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2024 for the seventh consecutive time in the Parliament on Tuesday, which drew flak from the opposition that alleged it was "discriminatory"

I.N.D.I.A Bloc MPs have announced to protest against the Union Budget in the Parliament on July 24. (Image used for representational purpose only)

Source : PTI

After the announcement of the Union Budget 2024, the I.N.D.I.A Bloc leaders held a meeting at Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence. Shortly after, the opposition alliance announced that it will be staging a protest in the premises of the Parliament on July 24, against the alleged "discriminatory" Budget announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. 

Sitharaman on Tuesday presented the Union Budget during the Parliament's Budget session for the seventh consecutive time.

However, the budget drew criticism from several leaders of the opposition, who alleged that the budget was "biased" and made to appease the NDA allies, particularly Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.

#WATCH | The meeting of INDIA bloc's Floor Leaders (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) underway at the residence of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge.

(Video: AICC) pic.twitter.com/4EaaMy74a8

— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2024

After attending the the party meeting, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that the concept of budget had been destroyed and that the Centre "completely discriminated against most of the states," as a result of which the INDIA bloc will oppose it.

Calling it a "Kursi Bachao Budget," LoP in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the Centre in a post on X saying, "Kursi Bachao Budget. Appease allies: Hollow promises to them at the cost of other states. Appease Cronies: Benefits to AA with no relief for the common Indian. Copy and Paste: Congress manifesto and previous budgets."

The grand old party has also alleged that many announcements in the Union Budget were "copy-pasted" from the party's manifesto for 2024.

Taking a swipe at the PM Modi-led government, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said that the he was glad that the Finance Minister read the Congress 2024 manifesto.

"I am glad to know that the Hon'ble FM has read the Congress Manifesto LD 2024 after the election results. I am happy she has virtually adopted the Employment- linked incentive (ELI) outlined on page 30 of the Congress manifesto." 

"I am also happy that she has introduced the Apprenticeship scheme along with an allowance to every apprentice spelt out on page 11 of the Congress Manifesto. I wish the FM had copied some other ideas in the Congress Manifesto. I shall shortly list the missed opportunities," the former Finance Minister tweeted.

Meanwhile, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also lashed out at the Centre over the "anti-poor,' and "directionless" budget that was "biased towards Andhra Pradesh and Bihar". She said that the budget was an example of how the Centre "constantly deprives" West Bengal while allocating special financial packages.

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee called the budget a "complete failure," and tweeted: "This BUDGET is a complete failure with ZERO WARRANTY, presented by a FAILED FINANCE MINISTER OF A FAILED GOVERNMENT. Instead of tackling urgent issues like unemployment, rising prices and growing inflation, the BJP has crafted a budget to bribe its coalition partners and buy time before the government IMPLODES!"