TMC, YRSCP, AIMIM slam Govt; J&K MP flags ‘sovereign betrayal’

RSP’s N K Premachandran said the Budget did not “truly” address the concerns of the common people. He also raised the “discrimination” in funds against Kerala. “Members of Opposition… observed that this is not an NDA Government but an ‘N square DA’ Government because this is a Government totally dependent on Naidu-Nitish… That is why the stability of this Government is a question… and can collapse any time,” the RSP MP said.

National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi said the fact that the Centre prepared the Budget for J&K and presented it in Parliament was “a sovereign betrayal and a mockery (mazak) with democracy”.

Demanding elections in J&K at the earliest, he told the Speaker: “I request you that for the spirit of democracy, give them directions that the Supreme Court’s order is followed and elections are conducted.”

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi alleged that there was lack of focus on Muslims in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget speech. He criticised the Government’s approach to inclusion and equity and accused it of treating Muslims as “untouchables”.

Defending the Budget, Union Minister of State for Health and Family welfare and Apna Dal (Soneylal) leader Anupriya Patel said the Budget was prepared for the benefit of the entire country. “This is the Budget of NDA and Budget of India, because India has chosen NDA and not to you,” she said countering the Opposition’s attack. “The NDA government is of the people, for the people and by the people,” she said.

On the Opposition’s claim that the Government could fall any time, Patel said it was nothing but “Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne (day dreams)” and the Government will complete its term.

TDP member Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, too, asserted that the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre will complete its full tenure of five years.