Opposition gears up to corner government on price rise issue during Budget Session

New Delhi, Feb.20 (ANI): Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj on Saturday said the price rise issue will figure as main issue in the Budget session beginning from February 22.

BJP has decided to raise the issue of price rise on priority basis in the Budget session of Parliament commencing from Monday (February 22). The opposition parties have jointly agreed that price rise is the main issue that needs immediate attention, Swaraj informed.

"The issue of price rise needs to be discussed as prime focus area. We have decided that we want a discussion on it on the first day of the session itself, i.e., 23rd February we will discuss the issue," Sushma Swaraj told mediapersons after a meeting of leaders of political parties convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar in New Delhi.

Swaraj stated that the Opposition has clearly stated that if the government agrees to discuss all the issues enlisted by them, it will not put any hindrance on any day during the Budget session.

Speaker Meira Kumar, however, said that she is still waiting for an official letter from the Opposition stating the subjects that they want to discuss.

"She (Sushma Swaraj) has raised the issue during the meeting today. But she will have to come to me formally; enlisting the issues. Then only I will consider it," said Meira Kumar and revealed that reminders have been sent to some MPs who are yet to declare their assets as mandated by rules.

Parliament will begin its session with an address by President Pratibha Devisingh Patil to a joint sitting of both Houses on Monday (February 22)

The Railway Budget will be presented on February 24, while the General Budget would be presented on February 26. (ANI)