The second half of Parliament’s budget session begins today and is expected to be highly contentious, with the Opposition preparing to challenge the government on several critical issues. Among the most pressing matters are the proposed delimitation exercise, the controversial three-language policy, the Waqf Amendment Bill, and trade tariffs imposed by the United States. The session is likely to see heated debates as the ruling party pushes ahead with its legislative agenda while the Opposition seeks to mount resistance on multiple fronts.
A key focus for the government will be the passage of the Finance Bills, which will complete the budgetary process. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is also set to present the budget for Manipur, which has been under President’s Rule since last month. Meanwhile, the Congress party is expected to convene a strategy meeting early in the day to discuss its approach for the session. Other parties within the INDIA alliance are likely to coordinate with Congress to amplify their opposition to the government’s policies.
One of the most contentious issues is the Centre’s attempt to implement a three-language policy in southern states, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where the move has triggered a fierce political backlash. The state’s Chief Minister, MK Stalin, has been at the forefront of the agitation, opposing what he sees as an imposition on regional linguistic identity. The controversy has only intensified alongside concerns over delimitation, another issue that has raised alarm in the southern states. Many leaders fear that the redrawing of parliamentary constituencies, expected to take effect next year, will disproportionately reduce their representation in Parliament due to the region’s success in population control. They argue that this would unfairly benefit the northern states, which have larger and faster-growing populations.
In an attempt to assuage these concerns, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured that no state will lose a single parliamentary seat. He emphasised that this commitment comes directly from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, this reassurance has done little to quell opposition to the proposed changes, and the matter is expected to fuel heated discussions in Parliament.
Another contentious issue on the legislative agenda is the Waqf Amendment Bill, which has already been cleared by the cabinet and is set to be introduced in this session. The government, through Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, has signalled its intent to push for the Bill’s early passage, but the Opposition is likely to resist it strongly. Concerns over electoral integrity may also come to the fore, particularly regarding the duplication of Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers. The Opposition has raised allegations of fake voters being included in electoral rolls, a claim that could lead to further friction in the House.
Beyond domestic concerns, foreign policy matters are also expected to take centre stage, particularly in relation to trade tensions with the United States. The Opposition is likely to question the government on US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, which have placed additional pressure on Indian exports. Moreover, the recent deportation of Indian immigrants from the US in chains has sparked outrage, and the government may face calls to address the matter diplomatically. Adding to the Opposition’s list of grievances, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has criticised India’s recent decision to lower tariffs on American imports, arguing that it could compromise the interests of the country’s farmers and manufacturers. With these pressing issues at the forefront, the second half of the budget session is poised to be stormy, with the Opposition determined to hold the government to account on multiple fronts. The coming weeks are expected to witness intense debates, strategic manoeuvres, and political confrontations that will shape the legislative discourse leading up to the general election.
With inputs from agencies
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