Opposition to protest over the ‘Kursi Bachao’ budget 2024 today

INDIA Bloc will be protesting today in and around the parliament in New Delhi against the budget 2024. The protest was decided in a meeting by opposition members on Tuesday evening. The meeting included many strategic leaders from INDIA Bloc as they condemned the new Fiscal policy at congress president’s residence.

The opposition alleged the budget as ‘discriminatory and unjust.’ According to the general secretary of congress, Mr. Venugopal, ‘Dangerous policy has been made which does not meet the concepts of Federalism and fairness mentioned in our constitution.’

The main argument that has been put forward by the opposition bloc is that BJP allied states like Bihar and Andhra Pradesh have been specially recognized and given funds while opposition ruled states have been ignored. Thus, congress has cited it as more of a ‘Modi Bachao’ Yojna rather than including development for the nation.

Another key allegation by oppositions claims that the internship programme launched by the ruling government is in-fact just copied from Congress’s manifesto. It says that this scheme was thought by congress, however, taken by BJP to promote themselves. While this scheme also holds arguments as to how can government provide 1 crore internships in a year with 5000 companies. According to congress the targets of BJP are blur.

Mentioning the protests, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav states that despite Uttar Pradesh being a valuable asset in Modi’s journey, the state has been ignored while allied states given the benefit. He says that this clearly states the biasness of ruling government to appease its party members. Meanwhile BSP head Mayawati condemns the budget by saying no reformatory policies included. AAP party has commented on the new fiscal policy by comparing it to a ‘Jhunjhuna’ or ‘toy’ to appease masses.

Congress President has alleged the fiscal policy to be a ‘copy-paste’ of Congress Manifesto. It states that no efforts has been made by the government towards development rather this is just a political move.

Amid the budget controversies, YSR congress chief Jagan Reddy is set to protest today against Chandra Babu Naidu’s rule. According to Reddy since Naidu has gained power in Andhra Pradesh, democracy has taken a toll. “We will not tolerate the alleged aristocracies in the state”- Reddy says. The matter will also be taken to Prime Minister and President Murmu.

Also, the Uttarakhand congress is set to start the Kedarnath Bachao yatra amid the budget accusations as it feels required allocations have not been made for Kedarnath.

Condemning of NITI Ayog’s meeting by INDIA Bloc

To show their disapproval towards the newly launched budget, Chief ministers of opposition have condemned the NITI Ayog meeting to be held on 27^th of July 2024. Tamil Nadu CM Stalin on Twitter posted how name of Tamil Nadu does not appear on budget and the state being completely sidelined. Thus, Stalin has made a decision to boycott the meet held under PM Modi. The other three states who have supported this decision are Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka.

BJP’S views and about the Budget 2024

While congress terms it as ‘Kursi Bachao’ yojna, BJP states the budget as ‘Viksit Bharat’ policy. According to government this budget will bring ‘Samridhi’ and development to the nation. The prime minister on X lauded the budget presented by finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman stating it as the path to “Atmanirbhar Bharat” or self-reliant nation.

The budget 2024 was presented on Tuesday by finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman. She has presented budget for the seventh time in a row setting a new record after Morarji Desai.

The new budget highlighted several key points like benefits to tax payers. Tax slabs have been revised with rebate of 17,500 for salaried employees.