Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday lauded BJP MPAnurag Thakur’s speech in the Lok Sabha, describing it as a "must hear" for its mix of facts and humour that exposed the "dirty politics" of the opposition INDIA bloc. "This speech by my young and energetic colleague Shri Anurag Thakur is a must hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance," Modi said on X.
In another post on X, PM Modi also shared Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's reply to the budget discussion. "FM @nsitharaman presents a very comprehensive picture of this year's Budget and what it offers for every section of society. She reiterates our Government's commitment to growth and reforms," he wrote on X.
Anurag Thakur Vs Rahul Gandhi On 'Caste' Quip
Anurag Thakur's speech was in response to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's address, using Gandhi's reference to the Chakravyuh from Mahabharat to criticise the Congress. Thakur highlighted alleged scams during Congress governments and criticised past Congress leaders' views on caste quotas. His comments on Gandhi's caste led to a heated exchange in the Lok Sabha, with Gandhi calling it an insult but reaffirming his commitment to pushing for a caste census.
"Anurag Thakur insulted me, and I don't want any apology from him. Abuse or insult me as hard as you can, but don't forget we will pass the caste census in this Parliament for sure," said Gandhi. ALSO READ | 'Those Whose Caste Is Not Known...': Anurag Thakur's Remark Triggers Row, Rahul Gandhi Says 'He Insulted & Abused Me'
Thakur’s remarks, which questioned the Congress’s stance on caste census and included a jibe at Gandhi, sparked uproar, leading Congress members to storm into the Well of the House. Thakur also criticised Gandhi's reference to the lotus, the BJP’s symbol, and linked it to violence, questioning if this also applied to Gandhi’s father, former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, whose name means lotus.
"One of the synonyms for lotus is Rajiv. You linked lotus with violence. Does that mean you also link Rajiv with violence?" Thakur asked. He further alleged that for the Congress, OBC stands for "Only Brother-in-law Commission" rather than Other Backward Classes, and referenced Rajiv Gandhi's opposition to OBC reservations.
In response to Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the halwa ceremony preceding the budget presentation, Thakur listed a series of alleged scams under Congress rule, including Bofors, CWG, and 2G, questioning who benefited from these scandals.
Thakur also took aim at Gandhi’s speeches, suggesting they were written by Sam Pitroda, a party leader, and accused Gandhi of using borrowed wisdom.
'No State Is Being Denied Money': Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
During the debate, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also responded to opposition claims that the Budget did not allocate funds to all states. "No state is being denied money," she asserted. Sitharaman highlighted that past UPA Budgets did not mention every state either. "I have been picking up on Budget speeches since 2004-2005... The Budget of 2004-2005 did not take the name of 17 states. Did they stop it?" she questioned.
Sitharaman emphasised India's status as the fastest-growing economy and the government's commitment to reducing the fiscal deficit to below 4.5 per cent by 2025-26. The current fiscal target is 4.9 per cent, down from 5.6 per cent in 2023-24. She also noted the substantial financial support of ₹17,000 crore for Jammu & Kashmir, including ₹12,000 crore for the J&K police.