Fierce Battle Over Union Budget 2025, Waqf Bill, ‘One Nation, One Election’ News24 –

As the Budget Session begins Friday, January 31, the knives are out and both, the ruling coalition and the opposition coalition, are gearing up to attack each other with increased vigour and ferocity. This will decide not only the Union Budget 2025 but also the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill and the “One Nation One Election Bill” as both of them have been referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Nirmala Sitharaman To Table Economic Survey

After President Droupadi Murmu inaugurates the Budget Session 2025 and delivers her speech to the joint meeting of both houses of the Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present a copy of the Economic Survey 2024-25, highlights and statistical appendix on both houses of the Parliament.

The Budget Session is likely to be divided into two parts, the Union Budget 2025 will be presented on February 1, and the first half will come to an end on February 13.

Two-Part Budget Session

The second part of the Budget Session will begin on March 10 and will come to an end on April 4. All the bills and other issues will be taken up during the second part of the session.

Besides the Union Budget 2025, the most important issues would be the Waqf Amendment Bill and the “One Nation One Election” Bill. As many as seven bills are up for grabs in the second part of the Budget Session.

The government convened an all-party meeting before the Budget Session to discuss the agenda of the house. However, the Opposition raked up the issue of deaths that occurred in Maha Kumbh 2025 at Prayagraj.

Opposition Lashes Out At BJP

Lashing out at Yogi Adityanath’s government of Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav held it responsible for the “mismanagement of Kumbh Mela” that caused the stampede and death of at least 30 pilgrims.

He demanded a discussion on the Kumbh Mela stampede. The SP MP also questioned why preference was being given only to VIPs and VVIPs, and the common man was left “panting for breath”.

JPC Report On Waqf Amendment Bill

The daggers are drawn for the Waqf Amendment Bill after the Joint Parliamentary Committee submitted its report to the Speaker of Lok Sabha on Thursday.

The anger of the Opposition could be understood as JPC Chairman Jagadambika Paul rejected all 44 amendments moved by them. The JPC admitted 14 amendments, all moved by the members of the BJP.

In the dissent note submitted to the JPC chairman, the Opposition members alleged that the bill was an attack on the constitutional rights of the Muslim community and interference in the functioning of Waqf boards.

‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill

Another contentious issue to be taken up in the Budget Session is the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill will also hold its meetings.

The other bills to be taken up during the Budget Session are several bills pending in the Lok Sabha which may be taken up for discussion. The government will also bring new legislation during the session.

Among the pending bills were the ST representation Goa Bill; the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, the Coastal Shipping Bill the Merchant Shipping Bill, and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Bill.

The other bills to be introduced in the Budget session are the Protection of Interest in Aircraft Objects Bill, the Immigration and Foreigners Bill and the bill renaming the Institute of Rural Management, Anand as Tribhuvan Sahkari University.

The opposition members are most likely to attack the government in the thanksgiving motion to the president’s address.

The Union Budget 2025 will be discussed point by point and a detailed debate is expected between the opposition and the ruling party.