Union Budget 2017: Opposition all set to make it a stormy affair

The Opposition has been crying foul and has accused the government of advancing the budget session to February 1.

New Delhi, Jan 31: It is Budget Day on Wednesday and the ruling party is gearing up for a showdown in Parliament. Battle lines have already been drawn and the opposition will insist on a debate on demonetisation before the Union Budget 2017 is presented on February 1 by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

The opposition has been crying foul and has accused the government of advancing the budget session to February 1. The opposition feels that the timing of the budget is wrong as it coincides with the ongoing election process in the five states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Goa and Punjab.

Meanwhile, sources say that the opposition is likely to bring a privilege motion. The opposition would cite the RBI governor's submission to a house panel in which he had stated that it was the government which had asked the RBI to go ahead with the decision on demonetisation.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged all parties to allow Parliament to function. He said that all parties must participate in the debate. "There may be differences, but democracy must win," he said.

The opposition, however, is unwilling to listen and would insist on a demonetisation debate. Jaitley, however, defended the decision to present the Budget on February 1 and said that the same had been indicated 6 months back. The Supreme Court too had refused to entertain a petition which had sought advancing of the Budget session.

OneIndia News