Parliament Budget Session Resumes Monday; Govt, Oppn Set For Showdown Over Waqf, Manipur, Trump Tariff Threats

Parliament's second Budget session resumes Monday where key issues such as Waqf Amendment Bill, Manipur violence, electoral roll duplication, and Trump's tariff threats are likely to dominate the discussion.

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 09 Mar 2025 04:24 PM (IST)

File Photo of Lok Sabha
Source : PTI

The second part of the Parliament Budget session is set to resume on Monday, with a high-stakes faceoff expected between the government and the opposition over key issues, including the Waqf Amendment Bill, fresh violence in Manipur, alleged electoral roll manipulations, and India’s response to US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff threats.  

According to news agency PTI, the government will prioritise securing parliamentary approval for the demands for grants, the completion of the budgetary process, and the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill. The Manipur budget is also set to be tabled, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman scheduled to present it on Monday.  

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to move a statutory resolution seeking Parliament's approval for the proclamation of President’s Rule in Manipur, PTI reported. The northeastern state has been under President’s Rule since February 13 following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.  

Opposition Plans to Corner Government on Electoral Roll 'Manipulation'

The opposition is set to raise concerns over alleged manipulation of electoral rolls, specifically the issue of duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has been at the forefront of flagging the issue, prompting the Election Commission (EC) to announce corrective measures within three months.  

The EC, however, rejected TMC’s claim that voter lists had been manipulated to allow voters from other states to cast their votes in West Bengal. The poll body clarified that while some voters may have identical EPIC numbers, their demographic details, Assembly constituencies, and polling booth information remain distinct. ALSO READ | ECI Promises To Resolve Duplicate Voter ID Issue In 3 Months; TMC Claims 'Admission Of Guilt'

TMC leaders will meet the EC on Monday and have mobilised support from other INDIA bloc allies, including the Congress, DMK, and Shiv Sena (UBT), to raise the issue in both Houses of Parliament, PTI reported.  

Government To Prioritise Early Passage of Waqf Amendment Bill  

The government is pushing for the early passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju stated at the India Today Conclave last week that the Bill would help resolve several issues faced by the Muslim community.  

A Joint Committee of Parliament had submitted its report on the Bill in the Lok Sabha amid strong protests from the opposition. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh declared that the opposition INDIA bloc will hold extensive consultations to collectively oppose the Bill.  

Manipur Violence, Trump's Reciprocal Tariffs, Delimitation Among Key Opposition Issues  

The Parliament session is also expected to witness debates on the fresh violence in Manipur and the political row over the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies. Manipur is witnessing tensions again as Kuki dominated areas in Kangpokpi district protest against Amit Shah's free movement directive.  ALSO READ | Manipur's Violence-Hit Kangpokpi Tense But Calm Amid Shutdown Called By Kuki-Zo Groups, Normal Life Hit

Additionally, opposition leaders, led by Congress, are preparing to confront the government over Trump’s recent threats of reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports. As per PTI,  Ramesh stated that the Congress would raise the issue of Trump's threats of reciprocal tariff during the second half of the Budget session as he called for a bipartisan collective resolve to counter the US President’s stance.

He also remarked that the grand old party will keep raisising the issue of alleged irregularities in the election process, claiming that polls are no longer free and fair and are being masterminded and orchestrated.

Besides US reciprocal tariffs and alleged election irregularities, the DMK and its Tamil Nadu allies, including the Congress, are also planning to register their protest to the population-based delimitation of Lok Sabha seats as well as the three language policy under the New Education Policy (NEP) which is being pushed by the Union government for implementation.

The first part of the Budget session was held from January 31 to February 13. The second part is set to commence on March 10 and continue until April 4.  

Published at : 09 Mar 2025 04:24 PM (IST)
Tags :
Modi Govt Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Session Manipur Donald Trump TMC DMK Parliament Budget Session Manipur Violence CONGRESS Waqf Amendment Bill Parliament Budget Session 2025 Budget Session 2025 AMIT SHAH US Tariff

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