Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Defends Union Budget Amid Opposition’s Walkout Over Bias Allegations

News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/24th July 2024

Following the presentation of the Union Budget for 2024-2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman found herself in a heated exchange with Opposition leaders who accused the budget of favoring only a few states, particularly Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, which are governed by parties allied with the BJP. Sitharaman dismissed these claims as “outrageous” and defended the inclusivity of the budget.

During the Rajya Sabha proceedings, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the budget, asserting that it overlooked the needs of states beyond Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. The criticism was fueled by the perception that the budget disproportionately benefitted these states, which are ruled by the JD(U) and the TDP—parties aligned with the BJP.

In response to these allegations, Sitharaman labeled the criticism as a deliberate attempt by the Opposition to mislead the public. She emphasized that the absence of specific mention of a state in the budget speech does not imply neglect of that state’s needs. According to Sitharaman, financial assistance from various international bodies like the World Bank, ADB, and AIIB, as well as central government schemes, continue to flow to all states as part of routine operations.

Sitharaman also pointed out that despite Maharashtra not being highlighted in her speech, the Cabinet had approved a substantial Rs 76,000 crore for the Vadhavan port project in the state. She challenged the Congress party, questioning whether all states had been given specific mention in their budgets during their tenure in government. Sitharaman accused the Opposition of trying to create a false narrative that only two states are receiving benefits under the current administration, calling the allegations baseless.

Further addressing concerns raised by Trinamool Congress MPs about West Bengal being overlooked in the budget, Sitharaman criticized the state’s implementation of central schemes over the past decade, implying that inefficiencies in the state’s governance were to blame for any perceived neglect.

The controversy escalated when the Opposition staged a walkout in protest, only to return to the Rajya Sabha shortly after. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed his discontent with the Opposition’s strategy, accusing them of using disruption as a political tactic. Dhankhar warned that such practices could undermine democratic processes and called on party leaders to reflect on their approach.

In the Lok Sabha, members of the INDIA bloc, including Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with representatives from various other parties, vocally protested against what they termed as the budget’s injustice to Opposition-ruled states. They carried placards with messages like “INDIA rejects NDA budget” and “Treat All States Equally,” highlighting their grievances outside Parliament.

The debate surrounding the Union Budget has underscored the deepening political rift between the ruling BJP and the Opposition. Sitharaman’s defense of the budget highlights the ongoing tensions over federal financial allocations and the broader implications for state and national politics.