Opposition MPs Walkout Of Rajya Sabha After Row Over Budget: Updates

On INDIA bloc protest against Union Budget, BJP MP Suresh Gopi says, "It's their duty, let them do it. Let them protest. This budget is for the country... What was most needed was a little cuddling of the middle class... The finance ministry has given an impetus to the job makers and the job seekers... They should look at the budget with the people in view, not the politics in view."

Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal says, " I had said this yesterday as well, that this is a 'sarkar bachao budget'... Its as if no one else exists. They talk about floods but they did nothing for the floods in Punjab. There is nothing for the farmers despite promises made to them... Punjab has not been paid attention to for the last 6 budgets... Before the AAP government in Punjab, Congress was in power and had promised to waive farmer loans, but nothing was done. SAD is the only party who is raising the voice of farmers..."

On Suspension of Business Notices in Rajya Sabha given under Rule 267 by MPs, House Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, "I reiterate, leaders of political parties need to take a call on the issue, as it is becoming a routine daily affair in every sitting of the House. I had already indicated that in the last 36 years, this mechanism has been allowed only on six occasions. It is only in exceptional circumstances that the same may be allowed. I need not emphasise that seeking suspension of proceedings in the House for taking business as indicated is indeed a very serious matter. The notices filed today do not conform to the directives imparted by the Chair in this behalf and the same are not admitted."

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday lauded the Union Budget and called it "good." Further attacking the opposition, he said, they are trying to "mislead people" by saying that the budget presented by the Centre is only for two states (Bihar and Andhra Pradesh).

The INDIA bloc MPs are holding a protest in Parliament against the Union Budget, presented on July 23 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The opposition parties have alleged the Union Budget 2024 to be a "discriminatory budget".

"The Budget is really good and everyone has welcomed it. The opposition is trying to mislead by saying that it is a budget for only 2 states. The allocation of capital expenditure of Rs 11 lakh 11 thousand 111 crores for building infrastructure is not for 1-2 states, it is for the entire country," Mr Rijiju told reporters outside New Parliament building.

Mr Rijiju further said that it is "wrong whoever says that the entire Union Budget is for one for two states."

On INDIA bloc protest against Union Budget, Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan says, "This budget doesn't deserve a reaction. This is just a drama. Promises which will be kept in papers will not be implemented."

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, LoP in Lok Sabha-Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan, TMC MP Derek O'Brien in the Parliament as the INDIA bloc protest against 'discriminatory' Union Budget 2024.

On leaders of the INDIA bloc protesting against Union Budget 2024, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi says, "This protest is against the discrimination in the budget. All the opposition-ruled states have been ignored... We witnessed 'PM Maharashtra Virodhi Yojana' in the Budget yesterday. Maharashtra is the highest tax paying state, yet we don't get our share in return..."

On the Union Budget, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav says "We all were demanding that farmers should get MSP but the support price is given to the alliance partners who are saving their govt, rather than the farmers...The government could not take any concrete step regarding inflation. Uttar Pradesh did not get anything. UP should have got a double benefit from the double-engine government. I think the people of Lucknow have angered the people of Delhi. Its result is visible in the budget. So what is the benefit of the double engine?..."

Congress President & LoP Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge says, "Many didn't get justice (in Union Budget). We are fighting for justice."

Leaders of INDIA parties protest against Union Budget 2024, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "It is injustice...We will protest..."

 Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaches Parliament.