Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: The proposed changes in duties related to petroleum products in the General Budget Friday evoked sharp reactions from the entire Opposition, which staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha and warned that it will not allow Parliament to run till a rollback is announced.
At a time when the opposition termed the Budget proposals as ‘anti-farmer’ and ‘anti-aam admi’, Prime Minister and DMK leadership praised Finance Minister for presenting an excellent Budget.
Speaking on behalf of the entire opposition, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj said, “This is a move that would lead to rise in prices of diesel and petrol and hit the common man already burdened by price rise,"
The issue united the entire Opposition with Swaraj as also Left leaders like Gurudas Dasgupta, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and RJD President Lalu Prasad expressed their displeasure in a joint press conference outside Parliament House.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav attacked the government and accused it of acting in a "dictatorial manner" against the interests of the common people. He said Parliament would not be allowed to function till a rollback is effected.
The opposition leaders also raised anti-government slogans which said, “Jo Sarkar Nikammi Hai, Woh Sarkar Badalni Hai" (we have to change the inefficient government).
"We have boycotted the budget. Soon after a discussion on price rise, the government has increased the prices of petroleum products. This is anti-people," Swaraj said.
She said any increase in prices of petroleum product will be an "indirect tax" and have a cascading effect on the prices of all commodities.
On his turn, NDA convenor and JD-U President Sharad Yadav launched a frontal attack against the government questioning the very sanctity of the debate on price rise as the government has effectively increased the prices of petroleum products.
"This is not a budget for the common people. This will only lead to more trouble for them as they are reeling under price rise," Yadav said.
Left leader Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) joined hands with the entire opposition in slamming the budget, terming it "anti-people".
He said the budget proposals will lead to street protests. RJD, an ally of the UPA in its last term, accused the Congress of its double standards.
"When the entire country is suffering on account of price rise, they have increased the prices of petroleum products, fertilisers and cement. We appeal to the people to come out and join a movement against the government," RJD chief Prasad said.
He said the country has seen both 'Dada' (Pranab Mukherjee) and 'Didi' (Mamta Banerjee) and both were concerned only about West Bengal.
SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said the Finance Minister yesterday assured Parliament that prices would come down and now the government is increasing the prices.
"This matter is above party politics. The farmers and workers of the country are suffering," he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Mnmohan Singh said, “Pranab Mukkerjee has done an exceedingly good job in presenting a good budget. The budget seeks to achieve growth momentum. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has done the right mix of moderation on the price front.”
This is for the first time in the history of Indian democracy that the entire opposition has boycotted the Budget proposal of the ruling coalition.
(With Agency Inputs)
First Published: Friday, February 26, 2010, 14:29