Political Landscape Shifts Over Special Category Status in Pre-Budget All-Party Meet

In a pre-budget all-party meeting, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh noted a significant shift regarding special category status for states. Key issues such as unemployment, NEET exam controversy, and the political promises of the 2014 BJP manifesto were also discussed by various opposition leaders.

In an all-party meeting ahead of the budget session, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh underscored a notable shift in the political landscape concerning special category status for states. Providing an inside look at the meeting held in New Delhi on Sunday, Ramesh posted on X, "In today's all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the JD(U) leader demanded special category status for Bihar. The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter."

Ramesh also highlighted a significant moment when the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader reminded Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP President JP Nadda of the BJP's 2014 election manifesto promise of special category status for Odisha. "How the political climate has changed! In the all-party meeting of floor leaders, the BJD leader reminded the Defence Minister and BJP President JP Nadda that the BJP's manifesto for the 2014 assembly elections in Odisha had promised special category status to the state," Ramesh wrote on X.

Simultaneously, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari pointed out several pertinent issues the opposition plans to address, including unemployment, the situation in Manipur, IAS concerns, and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) controversy. "Traditionally, an all-party meeting is held to discuss issues related to the House proceedings. We want to talk about inflation, unemployment, paper leaks, security concerns related to China, the removal of statues in Parliament, and the issues faced by farmers and laborers. Additionally, we will focus on discussing the issue of NEET," Tiwari stated in an interview with ANI.

According to sources, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi raised issues related to NEET, the alleged misuse of central agencies like the ED and CBI, and the Deputy Speaker post during the meeting. Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav addressed the issue of nameplates on food shops along the Kanwar route in Uttar Pradesh. CPI-M MP John Brittas emphasized that the parties are pushing for discussions on public issues, including the situation in Manipur, conditions in Jammu and Kashmir, "communal polarization" in UP, exam frauds, and unemployment.

"Parliament should function properly with active debate and discussion, which has been lacking for the past decade. We want the government to understand the ground reality. The unemployment rate is at its peak, and people are struggling. There has been an encroachment on the powers of the states," Brittas stated. (ANI)