Parliament will resume its Budget session on Monday, with strong expectations of a significant confrontation between the government and the opposition. The opposition plans to address several critical issues, including allegations of electoral roll manipulation, the recent surge of violence in Manipur, and the Indian government’s response to pressures from the Trump administration.
The government’s primary objective is to secure Parliament’s approval for various budgetary demands, finalize the budget process, obtain consent for the Manipur budget, and push for the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill. Home Minister Amit Shah is anticipated to present a statutory resolution seeking Parliament’s endorsement for the proclamation of President’s Rule in Manipur, a situation that has been in place since February 13 following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Additionally, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to introduce the budget specific to Manipur on Monday.
The opposition, particularly the Trinamool Congress, is gearing up to challenge the government regarding allegations of duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers. In response, the Election Commission has stated it will implement corrective measures within the next three months. The Commission has dismissed claims from the Trinamool Congress regarding the manipulation of voter lists to enable individuals from other states to vote in West Bengal. They clarified that while some EPIC numbers may overlap, other voter details—such as demographics, Assembly constituencies, and polling booths—are distinct.
Trinamool Congress leaders plan to meet with the Election Commission on Monday and have rallied support from other opposition parties, including the Congress, DMK, and Shiv Sena-UBT, to address this issue in both Houses of Parliament during the budget session.
For the government, expediting the Waqf Amendment Bill’s passage is crucial. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized the government’s commitment to advancing the bill, stating it would address numerous concerns within the Muslim community. A Joint Committee of Parliament has already submitted its report on the bill to the Lok Sabha, despite considerable opposition protests.
Additionally, discussions regarding the recent violence in Manipur, the potential for reciprocal tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, and the political uproar surrounding the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies are anticipated to resonate within Parliament. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has indicated that the opposition coalition, INDIA, will engage in “extensive consultations” to collaboratively oppose the Waqf Bill.
Ramesh also highlighted that the Congress would continue raising concerns about alleged irregularities in the electoral process, asserting that elections are no longer truly free and fair, but rather manipulated. He urged for a united, bipartisan effort to address the threats posed by Trump’s potential tariffs during the latter half of the Budget session.
The first segment of the Budget session ran from January 31 to February 13, with the second part scheduled to commence on March 10 and continue until April 4.
