The first phase of Parliament’s Budget Session begins today with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the joint sitting of both Houses, setting the stage for a politically charged session ahead of the Union Budget.

In the run-up to the session, opposition parties have signalled their intent to corner the Narendra Modi government on a range of issues, including recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the G RAM G Act.

Opposition flags key concerns

At an all-party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday, opposition leaders outlined the matters they want raised during the session. However, the scope for extended debate in the first phase is expected to remain limited due to a packed schedule focused largely on budgetary business.

After the President’s address today, the Economic Survey will be tabled tomorrow. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget on Sunday, marking her ninth consecutive budget presentation. This will be followed by discussions on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in both Houses, to which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will respond.

The first leg of the Budget Session will conclude on February 13, while the second phase is set to begin on March 9.

Trump remarks, SIR and rural job law in focus

Among the issues highlighted by the opposition are what they describe as shifting statements by US President Trump regarding a trade deal with India. Opposition parties have also raised concerns over complications arising from the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists in several states.

The G RAM G Act, which has replaced MGNREGA, is another major flashpoint. Opposition parties argue that the new legislation requires detailed discussion, while also alleging misuse of central agencies against opposition leaders.

An ally of the ruling National Democratic Alliance, the Telugu Desam Party, is learnt to be preparing a demand for restrictions on social media access for children aged between 0 and 16 years.

Opposition leaders may also question the government’s silence on geopolitical developments in regions such as Venezuela and Greenland.

Government rules out debate on select issues

The Centre has made it clear that it is not inclined to reopen discussions on SIR and the G RAM G Act during the session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has maintained that the SIR was debated extensively during discussions on electoral reforms in the Monsoon Session.

Despite this, the Trinamool Congress is expected to push for a discussion on SIR, particularly in the context of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also likely to lead a protest in Delhi on the issue.

On the G RAM G Act, the government’s stand is that the legislation has already been passed and enacted, leaving little room for further debate in Parliament.

UGC regulations unlikely to dominate session

The controversy surrounding the new University Grants Commission regulations is not expected to feature prominently during the Budget Session. Major political parties have largely remained silent on the issue, with only a few leaders raising concerns publicly.

While some Members of Parliament may attempt to flag the matter, the UGC regulations are unlikely to emerge as a central point of confrontation in the current session.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday lost his cool during a Congress protest rally after Youth Congress workers repeatedly raised slogans in favour of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar while he was preparing to address the gathering.

The incident took place at a demonstration organised by the ruling Congress to oppose the Centre’s decision to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a new rural employment initiative titled Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G).

Senior Congress leaders, including Shivakumar, party general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, ministers, Members of Parliament and legislators, were present at the rally.

As Siddaramaiah stood up from his seat and walked towards the podium, a section of party workers began chanting “DK, DK”, referring to the deputy chief minister. The sloganeering grew louder as the chief minister reached the stage.

Visibly annoyed, Siddaramaiah asked the workers to stop shouting. When the slogans continued, he sharply questioned party leaders on the stage, asking, “Who are those shouting ‘DK, DK’?”

The compere intervened, urging the Youth Congress workers to maintain silence while the chief minister addressed the rally. Despite the appeal, attempts to interrupt Siddaramaiah reportedly continued even after he began speaking.

Power struggle backdrop within Karnataka Congress

The episode comes amid ongoing speculation about a power struggle within the Karnataka Congress, with several MLAs and MLCs openly expressing support for Shivakumar. The internal dynamics between the two senior leaders have repeatedly drawn public attention since the party came to power in the state.

Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have earlier stated that they would abide by the decision of the party high command regarding leadership matters.

The chief minister has also asserted on multiple occasions that he enjoys the backing of the high command and is confident of completing the full five-year term in office.

Resignation comes amid heated exchange between Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath over Magh Mela incident and wider political issues

The confrontation between Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has escalated further with the resignation of an Ayodhya-based bureaucrat, who said he stepped down in support of the government, the Constitution and democratic values.

The row began earlier this month after the Shankaracharya and his supporters alleged they were prevented from taking a holy dip at the Sangam in Prayagraj during the Magh Mela. The local administration, however, maintained that the seer’s chariot procession was stopped to avoid the risk of a stampede in the crowded area and that he was asked to proceed on foot like other devotees.

Terming the incident an insult, the Shankaracharya launched a protest, leading to a sharp verbal exchange with the chief minister. Without naming him, Yogi Adityanath cautioned people against figures like “Kalanemi”, a demon from the Ramayana who disguised himself as a saint to deceive Lord Hanuman.

Responding to the remark, the Shankaracharya said the chief minister, now a politician, should focus on governance and leave religious matters to seers. He questioned the appropriateness of a chief minister discussing religious symbolism instead of issues such as education, health, law and order, and economic development.

The Shankaracharya also weighed in on the controversy surrounding newly notified University Grants Commission rules that propose special committees, helplines and monitoring teams to address complaints, particularly from SC, ST and OBC students. Critics have argued that the framework could result in discrimination against general category students.

Speaking to media, the Shankaracharya criticised the approach, stating that injustice cannot be attributed to an entire caste and warning that pitting one caste against another could harm Hindu society. He called for the rules to be withdrawn.

Ayodhya GST officer quits citing ‘insult’ to elected leadership

On Tuesday, Ayodhya deputy GST commissioner Prashant Kumar Singh tendered his resignation, saying he could not tolerate what he described as an insult to the chief minister, the Prime Minister and other constitutional authorities.

In a statement, Singh said he had resigned in accordance with service rules and out of loyalty to the government, adding that he was deeply hurt by what he termed unrestrained comments aimed at dividing society. He said the government had provided him livelihood and that he could not continue in service while remaining silent.

Singh alleged that personal remarks were made against the chief minister and emphasised that Yogi Adityanath is a democratically elected leader. He also said he was troubled by what he described as political motives behind the debate over the UGC rules.

The officer stated that once his resignation is accepted, he plans to take up social work.