Parliament reconvened on Monday as discussions began on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, a day after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget in the Lok Sabha.
The Budget session opened amid sharp criticism from Opposition leaders, who accused the Centre of failing to address key economic challenges and neglecting non-BJP-ruled states, particularly Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Protests by Opposition MPs underscored growing dissent over the Budget’s priorities and allocations.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal initiated the debate on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with party MP Tejasvi Surya seconding the motion. Parliament has allocated 18 hours for the discussion, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to respond on February 4.
Rahul Gandhi Defers Budget Remarks to Parliament
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, declined to comment on the Union Budget outside Parliament on Sunday. Addressing reporters briefly, he said he would present his views during the parliamentary debate.
“I will speak tomorrow, using the platform provided by Parliament,” Gandhi stated before leaving the premises with his sister, Priyanka Gandhi, the Congress MP from Wayanad.
Congress Flags Key Economic Concerns
Later, Gandhi shared a detailed critique of the Budget on social media platform X, outlining what he described as unaddressed national concerns.
“Youth without jobs. Falling manufacturing. Investors pulling out capital. Household savings plummeting. Farmers in distress. Looming global shocks — all ignored,” he wrote, calling the Budget resistant to course correction and disconnected from economic realities.
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Union Budget 2026–27
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for the financial year 2026–27, framing it as a long-term roadmap for reform and economic resilience. Emphasising the government’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, she announced measures aimed at boosting growth, infrastructure, and consumer welfare.
However, one of the most closely watched decisions was the decision to retain existing income tax slabs, with no immediate changes announced for individual taxpayers.
Other Parliamentary Business
As per the Lok Sabha’s list of business, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh are scheduled to present the 14th Report of the Business Advisory Committee during the day’s proceedings.
