Budget Session of Parliament Begins Today; Opposition Set to Raise MGNREGA, Electoral Revision Concerns

The Budget Session of Parliament commenced on Wednesday with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, marking the formal beginning of the annual legislative and financial exercise. The session is expected to witness intense debates, with the Opposition preparing to raise concerns related to employment guarantees, electoral processes, environmental issues, and federal matters.

According to the official parliamentary schedule, the Budget Session will run from January 28 to April 2, with an inter-session break in between. The first phase of the session is scheduled from January 28 to February 13, while the second phase will resume from March 9 and continue until April 2. In total, Parliament is slated to hold 30 sittings during this period.

Union Budget to Be Presented on February 1

The Union Budget for the financial year 2026–27 will be presented in the Lok Sabha on February 1 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The Budget is expected to outline the government’s economic roadmap at a time when India is navigating global uncertainty, domestic growth challenges, and rising public expectations related to employment, welfare spending, and infrastructure development.

As per parliamentary convention, discussions on the Budget will follow its presentation, with both Houses debating allocations, policy priorities, and fiscal strategy before voting on demands for grants.

All-Party Meeting Ahead of Session

On the eve of the session, an all-party meeting was convened in New Delhi to ensure smooth conduct of parliamentary proceedings. The meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by leaders from major political parties across the spectrum. The government urged cooperation from the Opposition to allow productive discussions during the session, while Opposition leaders flagged issues they intend to raise in Parliament.

Such meetings are traditionally held ahead of major sessions to identify key legislative priorities and reduce procedural disruptions, although sharp exchanges and walkouts are not uncommon during Budget Sessions.

Opposition Prepares Strategy

The Congress party and other Opposition groups have indicated that they will use the session to highlight what they describe as pressing socio-economic and democratic concerns. Senior Congress leaders held a strategy meeting on Tuesday to finalise their agenda for the session.

Among the key issues expected to be raised is the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Opposition leaders have repeatedly expressed concern over allocation levels and implementation challenges related to the rural employment scheme, arguing that it remains a crucial safety net for millions of households.

In addition to MGNREGA, the Opposition is also expected to question the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Concerns have been voiced in recent weeks about transparency, inclusiveness, and the potential impact of such exercises on voters, particularly in marginalised communities.

Wider Range of Issues Likely to Be Raised

Congress leaders have indicated that the parliamentary agenda will not be limited to economic matters alone. Environmental issues, developments in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, and aspects of India’s foreign policy are also expected to feature prominently in debates.

Senior Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain, speaking after the party’s internal meeting, said that multiple national concerns would be raised during the session, reflecting what the Opposition views as gaps in governance and policy execution. The meeting was chaired by Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

Another coordination meeting, led by Mallikarjun Kharge in his capacity as Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, has been scheduled to finalise a joint Opposition strategy for both Houses of Parliament.

Legislative and Political Significance

The Budget Session is widely regarded as the most significant parliamentary session of the year, as it determines government spending priorities and sets the tone for policy implementation. This year’s session also assumes added importance in the context of upcoming elections in several states and ongoing national debates over economic growth, social welfare, and democratic processes.

The government is expected to push for the passage of key financial legislation, while the Opposition is likely to use the floor of Parliament to demand greater accountability and policy clarity.

Expectations from the Session

Observers note that while sharp political differences are inevitable, the session presents an opportunity for substantive discussion on economic recovery, job creation, social protection schemes, and institutional reforms. The tone and conduct of the proceedings will be closely watched, particularly during the Budget presentation and subsequent debates.

As Parliament begins its deliberations, attention will remain focused on how the government balances fiscal discipline with public spending needs, and how effectively the Opposition is able to articulate and press its concerns within the legislative framework.

The coming weeks are expected to see rigorous debate, policy scrutiny, and political negotiation as both sides seek to shape the national narrative ahead of the new financial year.