Key Points:
- The Uttar Pradesh Budget session is underway, marked by heated debates and protests.
- Governor Anandiben Patel’s address was cut short to 8 minutes amidst opposition uproar.
- Finance Minister Suresh Khanna will present the Yogi Government 2.0’s fourth budget today.
- Focus areas of the budget include education, infrastructure, housing schemes, and employment generation.
- Controversies over CM Yogi Adityanath’s remarks on Urdu and opposition protests add to the session’s intensity.
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly is witnessing a turbulent budget session as political tensions run high. On Wednesday, Governor Anandiben Patel’s address to the joint session was disrupted by opposition protests, forcing her to conclude her speech originally planned for an hour in just 8 minutes. The uproar set the stage for another contentious day as Finance Minister Suresh Khanna prepares to unveil the state’s budget for the financial year 2025-26.
The budget presentation comes amidst heightened political drama. Opposition parties have criticized the government over various issues, including education policies, infrastructure development, and employment generation. Adding fuel to the fire is Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent controversial remarks on Urdu, which have sparked a heated debate on language politics in the state.
Governor’s Address Amidst Chaos
The session began with Governor Patel highlighting key achievements of the Yogi government, including preparations for Mahakumbh 2025 and advancements in law and order. However, opposition members from the Samajwadi Party stormed into the Well of the House with placards and slogans like “Rajyapal Go Back,” accusing the government of ignoring farmers’ issues and failing to provide adequate support for marginalized communities. The chaos forced Patel to abbreviate her speech, which emphasized themes of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” and detailed initiatives for women empowerment and infrastructure development.
Budget Expectations: Focus on Growth and Welfare
Finance Minister Suresh Khanna is expected to present a budget that balances welfare initiatives with infrastructure expansion. Key highlights anticipated in the budget include:
- Education & Employment: Proposals for hiring over 5,000 fourth-class employees in 2,640 government schools through outsourcing. The government may also announce modernization schemes for madrasas and schools.
- Housing: A significant allocation of ₹2,800 crores for PM Awas Yojana and CM Awas Yojana to provide housing for economically weaker sections.
- Infrastructure: Major investments in expanding expressways like Vindhya Expressway and Vindhya Link Expressway. Discussions are also underway about further developing Lucknow Metro.
- Support for Women & SC-ST Entrepreneurs: New schemes aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and promoting businesses among marginalized communities.
The government is also likely to emphasize its achievements in law enforcement reforms and industrial development while addressing criticism of its employment record.
Language Politics Heats Up
Adding to the session’s intensity is CM Yogi Adityanath’s recent remarks accusing the Samajwadi Party (SP) of promoting Urdu at the expense of regional languages like Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Braj, and Bundeli. Adityanath criticized SP leaders for sending their children to English-medium schools while advocating Urdu for others, claiming it was an attempt to “make children maulvis.” The comments have drawn sharp reactions from opposition leaders like Akhilesh Yadav, who accused Adityanath of neglecting education reforms in Uttar Pradesh.
The debate reflects broader cultural tensions as the government pushes for regional language promotion while modernizing educational systems across schools and madrasas.
Opposition Protests Intensify
The opposition has vowed to continue its protests during today’s proceedings. Yesterday’s incident in the Legislative Council where marshals removed Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey following a heated exchange has further escalated tensions. The Samajwadi Party has criticized what it calls “undemocratic behavior” by the ruling BJP.
As Uttar Pradesh braces for its largest-ever budget under Yogi Government 2.0, all eyes are on how it addresses critical issues like unemployment, rural development, and public welfare. With assembly elections on the horizon, this budget will play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion.
The session is expected to remain stormy as opposition parties gear up for more confrontations with the ruling BJP over contentious policies and governance issues. Whether this budget can strike a balance between development goals and political realities remains to be seen.
