Budget discussion to begin in Parliament today, opposition may stage protests

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The general discussion on Budget 2026, presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha on Sunday, will begin in Parliament today, Monday. This debate is a key part of the ongoing Budget Session, after which detailed discussions and voting on the demands for grants of various ministries will take place.

As per parliamentary convention, members of Parliament will share their views on the overall structure, priorities, and policy direction of the budget during the general discussion. Indications suggest that Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, may also speak during the debate.

Rahul Gandhi signals he will speak in the House

After the budget was presented, Rahul Gandhi declined to comment while speaking to journalists inside the Parliament complex on Sunday. When asked about his views on the budget, he briefly said, “I will present my views on the floor of the House tomorrow.”

Congress leader and MP Priyanka Gandhi was present with him at the time. Both leaders left the Parliament premises without responding to further media questions.

Budget criticism shared on social media

Later, Rahul Gandhi raised his objections to the budget through a post on social media platform X. He stated that the budget failed to address the country’s real challenges.

In his post, Rahul Gandhi wrote that young people are facing a shortage of jobs, manufacturing is declining, investors are pulling out capital, domestic savings are falling rapidly, farmers remain in distress, and potential global shocks have been ignored. He described the budget as one that avoids reforms and fails to recognise India’s core economic problems.

With the debate set to begin, all eyes are now on Parliament, where the ruling party and the opposition are expected to confront each other during the discussion.