Budget Battle: Aam Aadmi Party Challenges BJP's Schedule

Delhi Assembly's AAP leader Atishi accuses BJP of limiting budget discussion time, suggesting they are evading scrutiny of economic details. A letter to Speaker Vijender Gupta challenges the day's business allocation, urging an extension of budget talks. This marks the BJP's first budget in Delhi in 26 years.

Concerns have risen in the Delhi Assembly as Leader of Opposition Atishi from the Aam Aadmi Party accuses the ruling BJP of deliberately shortening the time allocated for the annual budget discussion for 2025-26. This move is allegedly an attempt to obscure important economic details from public scrutiny.

In a letter addressed to Speaker Vijender Gupta, Atishi condemned the assembly's 'List of Business' for allowing just an hour for the budget debate, describing it as a worrying attempt to bypass thorough examination. Gupta refuted Atishi's claim, stating the Business Advisory Committee, which includes AAP MLAs, scheduled the budget discussion for two days, March 26 and 27.

Atishi further critiqued the absence of an Economic Survey prior to the budget's presentation, questioning if this was to conceal critical fiscal data. She emphasized the necessity of a detailed budget debate, highlighting its impact on taxpayer funding for critical services like hospitals and schools, and urged for an extension of the legislative session.

(With inputs from agencies.)