Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday alleged discrimination with opposition ruled states in the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and said her speech mentioned projects for only two states
The Indian Men's Cricket Team for the Blind is set to embark on an exceptional journey to the USA on Thursday, visiting nine major states to promote cricket for the blind in America.
GVL Narasimha Rao, BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP, criticized Congress and the INDIA bloc for opposing special focus on states in the Union Budget based on their needs, calling it a sign of political frustration and a negative attitude.
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said on Wednesday that Congress Chief Ministers have decided to boycott the NITI Aayog meeting because there is no "justice" for opposition-ruled states from the Centre.
Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday slammed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over the Union Budget and claimed that the plates of all states except Bihar and Andhra Pradesh were empty in the budget allocation.
"This budget is an attack on the dignity of India's federal structure - in the greed to save power, there is neglect of other states of the country, there is discrimination against them," Rahul Gandhi said in a post on Facebook.
"The entire country is upset with the budget. People from all the states are upset because the BJP has failed to solve their basic issues. The compulsion of the government is clearly visible in this budget. INDIA bloc is protesting against the injustice done in the budget...," Gogoi said
"It is our responsibility and a right as a constructive opposition in the democracy to stage demonstrations, rallies and protests for our rights. The Vidhan Sabha Gherao today will include leaders from all states and we will all unite to raise the voice of the people," Pilot stated.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday called the Union Budget "good" and said that the opposition is trying to "mislead people" by saying that the budget presented by the central government is only for two states (Bihar and Andhra Pradesh).
Noting the aggressive posture of China, Mukesh Aghi, President and CEO of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, said that India and the United States are aligned because of the growing threat of China, adding that both countries need each other to deal with Chinese aggression.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday accused the Centre of neglecting Kerala and said that the budget presented in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman displayed a discriminatory attitude towards the states.
As the political tussle continues in the United States, former India's ambassador to the United States, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, said that whether it's Democrats or Republicans, they both support the relationship with India.