Sitharaman Presents First Budget of Modi’s Third Term Amidst Coalition Demands and Opposition Scrutiny

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget for 2024-25 in Parliament on Tuesday, marking the first budget of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term in office. This session gains added significance as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), unlike in Modi’s previous terms, does not hold a majority on its own and is reliant on the support of its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies, particularly the N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], to maintain its position.

The budget presentation is expected to be scrutinized for differences from the Modigovernment’s previous budgets, especially in light of the wishlists submitted by both the TDP and the JD(U). Their demands include the special category status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, as well as specific packages or projects.

The three-week-long Budget session, which commenced on Monday, promises to be a contentious one, as evidenced by the heated atmosphere at the customary all-party meeting convened by the government on Sunday. Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are expected to engage in 20-hour discussions on the Budget.

In the Lower House, separate debates will cover key ministries, including railways, education, health, MSME, and food processing. The Business Advisory Committees (BAC) of both Houses met on Monday to finalize the session's agenda, though the government retains the right to introduce new items with the Chair's permission.

During the BAC meeting, the BJP faced the realities of coalition politics, with allies and formerly friendly parties voicing various demands. The JD(U), the Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP(RV)], and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) from Andhra Pradesh, all emphasized the need for SCS for their states. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), once considered a friendly party to the Modi government, also reminded the BJP of its promise to grant SCS to Odisha, made before the 2014 elections.

In the Rajya Sabha, an eight-hour discussion on the Appropriation and Finance Bills is anticipated, alongside four-hour debates on four ministries yet to be identified. A Congress MP stated that during the Lok Sabha BAC meeting, his party had highlighted the need for short-duration discussions on issues like the Agnipath scheme and the NEET controversy.

However, it was decided that discussions on various ministries would provide all parties an opportunity to raise their concerns.

As the Budget session progresses, the BJP will need to navigate the complex dynamics of coalition politics while addressing the diverse demands of its allies and countering a resurgent opposition. The outcome of these deliberations will set the tone for the Modi government’s fiscal policy and its ability to manage coalition expectations in its third term.

Author: Anushka Taraniya
News Writer