Opposition Questions BJP's Priorities in Union Budget

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP for prioritizing allies over farmers in the Union Budget. He questioned the practicality of proposed youth internships and called out the government's inadequate steps on inflation. The INDIA bloc MPs protested, calling the Budget 'discriminatory.'

The chief of the Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav, has openly criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its recent Union Budget, arguing that the government is prioritizing its allies over farmers. Speaking at an INDIA bloc protest against the Budget, Yadav noted that while the opposition was demanding a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers, the Budget revealed that the BJP had instead provided a 'support price' to their coalition partners.

Yadav also questioned the government's proposal to offer internships to youth, expressing concerns about their future employment prospects. 'You are first giving jobs and then creating these jobs in such a haphazard way that the future of youth will not be secured. What will happen after the internship? Who will give them jobs?' he asked. Additionally, he criticized the government's handling of inflation, claiming that any benefits given to the middle class are nullified by rising prices.

The opposition's dissatisfaction extended to regional concerns, with Yadav highlighting the lack of budgetary allocations for Uttar Pradesh. He questioned the supposed advantages of the 'double-engine' government both at the state and central levels. The protest also saw participation from other INDIA bloc MPs, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Sonia Gandhi, who rallied against what they termed a 'discriminatory' Budget.

(With inputs from agencies.)