Doesn't take long for time to change: Congress leader Kumari Selja cautions Nitish, Chandrababu, leads oppn's charge against govt and budget

Selja initiated the discussion on the Budget and questioned how target groups were identified without a caste census.

New Delhi: The Opposition took on the ruling BJP in the Lok Sabha over the Budget, with Congress leader Kumari Selja calling the Budget a “kursi bachao” attempt.

The Congress’s lead speaker was party veteran and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja who cautioned NDA allies Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar from trusting the BJP too much. “I would like to caution these two States... Nitishji has been with us for a long time – he served in the 10th Lok Sabha and Naiduji is also very experienced.

Do not be swayed by their (government’s) words. It may seem today that they have given a lot, but it doesn’t take long for the tide to turn,” she said. “People do not trust this budget, that is the reason why the number of seats fell from 303 to 240.”

TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee also added to the spirited charge of the Opposition, and at one point locked horns with Speaker Om Birla after the Speaker asked him to not discuss demonetisation as part of his speech.

TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee said that this is a “fragile” government which can “implode” anytime. “This Budget was planned by two individuals to keep another two in good faith, neglecting the aspirations of 140 crore people. Nobody is calling this government Modi 3.0. Not even the Finance Minister when she presented the Budget,” he said. “After yesterday, one thing is clear, coalition means appeasement and compensation.”

Banerjee also sought to speak about the “eccentric” decisions of the Modi government, including demonetisation, but Speaker Om Birla asked him to speak on current subjects and the Budget. “Some here speak of things that took place 60 years ago … of Jawaharlal Nehru… but you did not say anything. They spoke of the 50 year old Emergency. This partiality will not work,” Banerjee said.

BJP MP Bhatruhari Mahtab said that the Budget’s focus on employment will help in economic growth. “Through this year’s Budget, the government has shown its support for the manufacturing sector and given a package for employment generation. The Rs 1.48 lakh crore allocation shows the government’s commitment to harnessing the potential of India’s demographic dividend - its youth,” he said.

Shiromani Akali Dal’s Harsimrat Badal said that Punjab has been neglected in the last six budgets. “This is a ‘sarkar bachao’ (save government) budget. They talk about floods but they do nothing for the floods in Punjab. There is nothing for the farmers despite promises made to them,” she said.

DMK’s Dayanidhi Maran said that the government spent crores of money to publicise “Modi ki guarantee”. “After the election, Modi ka guarantee is replaced with Modi ka insurance. Premium is being paid by the people to ensure he continues as PM,” he said.

Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) MP Milind Deora said that three objectives should guide the government. “Create employment and onshore jobs that were lost to China, rework supply chains and reduce dependence on hostile countries, and make our economy sustainable,” Deora said.

At the end of the day's proceedings, the House saw an unparliamentary turn of events after former high court judge and BJP MP Abhijit Ganguly rudely asked Congress deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi to keep quiet.

This led to wide protests from the Opposition benches with union minister of law affairs Arjun Meghwal seeking to sooth tempers; he assured that the comments will be expunged. The House was soon adjourned.