New Delhi, Jan 29: Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has accused the BJP-led Union government of "discrimination" against non-BJP-ruled states, a day before the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to table the Economic Survey and Union Budget in the Lok Sabha.
The Budget Session of Parliament commenced on Wednesday with President Droupadi Murmu’s address to both Houses. Speaking to the media about the Union Budget, Minister Rao expressed disappointment over the Union government's failure to implement promises made to Karnataka in previous budgets. He emphasised that the budget should retain its "sanctity" and urged the government to fulfil its unkept promises, including the recognition of Bangalore.
“Whatever is announced in the Union Budget should be implemented. Unfortunately, announcements made in the Union Budget for Karnataka over the last two to three years have not materialised. It is unfortunate that the central government is treating Karnataka in this manner. They should fulfil the previous promises," Rao told reporters. He added, “We urge them to ensure that Bangalore gets the recognition it deserves. I hope the central government will present a good budget, but my hopes are not very high because I know the discrimination being meted out to non-BJP-ruled states is very clear.”
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also voiced his criticism ahead of the second day of the Budget Session, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s customary address to Parliament "hypocrisy-laden" and describing it as a "performance." In a social media post, Ramesh accused Modi of not convening all-party meetings to address national concerns and instead making last-minute introductions of Bills without proper legislative scrutiny. "He will not sit in Parliament and respond to the concerns of Opposition leaders. Instead, he will make election rally speeches in both Houses," Ramesh wrote.
Ramesh further criticised the Prime Minister's address, calling it "hypocrisy-laden" and part of a series of performances meant to present the government in a favourable light while ignoring the Opposition’s concerns.
On the second day of the Budget Session, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey in the Lok Sabha, offering an assessment of the economy and key indicators for 2025-26, along with an outlook for the coming financial year.
Prime Minister Modi, in his opening remarks outside Parliament, hailed the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) as a significant achievement, opening new markets for Indian manufacturers. He termed it "free trade for an ambitious India" and expressed confidence that Indian manufacturers would seize this opportunity to enhance their capabilities. Modi further described the President's Address as "an expression of the trust of 140 crore Indians" and assured that MPs would take the expectations voiced by the President seriously.
The Budget Session will continue for 65 days, concluding on April 2, with a recess scheduled from February 13 to March 9 for scrutiny of Demands for Grants by Standing Committees.
