17 Opposition parties will boycott the President's speech

The President is scheduled to address both the houses at the beginning of the budget session today

-Centre's efforts to persuade the opposition continue

New Delhi, 29 January 2021, Friday

The President's address to both Houses of Parliament at the start of the budget session starting today amidst the peasant movement and Republic Day violence will be boycotted by 17 opposition parties.

This morning, a total of 17 parties, including the Congress, made a formal announcement to the media to boycott the President's speech. Speaking to reporters, the Opposition said that apart from the peasant agitation, the Opposition was also planning to surround the government on the issue of weakening economy, Arnab Goswami's leaked WhatsApp chat and tensions with China on the Ladakh border.

The possibility of a surge in the budget session of Parliament, which is being held for the first time in the last six months following the outbreak of the corona virus, was not ruled out. All the opposition united and planned to attack the government. Opposition groups rallied around the government, especially over the weak economy, the border dispute with China and TV journalist Arnab Goswami's leaked WhatsApp chat.

When the Opposition met this morning, Congress' Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Ghulam Nabi Azad and others met BSP's Mayawati, SP's Akhilesh Yadav and their supporters, Trinamool Congress representatives and left leaders and looked very happy to have the opportunity to surround the government. Opposition groups called for a boycott of the assembly. It was also learned that some other oppositions would push the Center to repeal the new agricultural laws.

Meanwhile, the ruling party was planning to hold an all-party meeting on Saturday to exchange views with the opposition, sources said. The government will be ready to discuss all the issues raised by the opposition. At the same time, the ruling party will retaliate by accusing the opposition of inciting the farmers to violence and will take charge of the ongoing vaccination program to control the corona.

Like last year, the government plans to present the budget on February 1 this year. Earlier, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the economic survey. The first phase of the budget session will run from January 29, i.e. from today to February 15 and the second phase will run from March 8 to April 8.

Whatever it is, one thing is certain: the Opposition will unite to attack the government today and boycott the Parliament sitting on the occasion of President Ram Nath Kovind's speech.