INDIA Bloc to Protest Against 'Discriminatory' Union Budget in Parliament

INDIA bloc MPs plan a protest in Parliament over the Union Budget 2024-25, condemning it as 'discriminatory' and 'politically motivated.' Key opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee, criticized the budget for neglecting states and making hollow promises.

The INDIA bloc MPs are gearing up for a protest in Parliament on July 24, targeting the Union Budget 2024-25, which was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday. The opposition parties have slammed the budget as 'discriminatory.'

The bloc's Floor Leaders from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha met at Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal remarked, 'The concept of the budget has already been destroyed by this year's Union Budget. They have completely discriminated against most of the states.'

Following the meeting, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari announced the forthcoming protest, lambasting the budget as the 'BJP's budget.' He stated, 'Wherever there is a non-BJP government, the budget has been blacked out. We will hold a protest in Parliament and raise our voice.'

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the Union Budget 2024-25 on social media, calling it the 'Kursi Bachao Budget,' and accusing the Finance Minister of making hollow promises. He tweeted that the budget appeases allies and cronies while neglecting the common Indian.

Capping off the wave of criticism, Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to social media to denounce the Modi government's budget as 'copycat' and half-hearted. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also weighed in, calling the budget politically motivated and directionless.

(With inputs from agencies.)