In a heated Lok Sabha session on Wednesday, the debate over Budget 2024 sparked a tense exchange between Speaker Om Birla and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee. The contention arose when Banerjee asserted that the House had failed to discuss the controversial three farm laws that were eventually repealed, a claim the Speaker refuted.
Abhishek Banerjee, representing West Bengal’s Diamond Harbour and a key figure in Mamata Banerjee’s party, criticised the government, stating that the agricultural bills were passed “without any consultation with farmers, farmer organisations or Opposition parties.”
“If I have to bow, I’ll now before the power of the people, I’ll not bow before the people in power”
-Shri @abhishekaitc#Budget2024 pic.twitter.com/ljDXb3A0DS— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 24, 2024
Speaker Om Birla promptly interjected, “Let’s set the record straight, this House discussed the issue for five-and-a-half hours.” When Abhishek Banerjee persisted with his claim, Birla firmly stated, “When the Speaker speaks, he speaks right. You correct yourself.” Despite this, Abhishek Banerjee stood his ground, leading Om Birla to reiterate, “When I speak, I don’t speak wrong.”
The confrontation underscored the broader discontent expressed by Abhishek Banerjee in his speech, which targeted the Narendra Modi government’s Budget 2024. Banerjee described the Budget as lacking “clarity of vision” and accused it of being designed to appease BJP coalition partners rather than addressing the needs of the nation’s 140 crore people.
“Unemployment rate in our country rose to an 8-month high of 9.2% in June, 2024. Modi ji ki teesri baar, yuvak abhi bhi berozgar.”
– Shri @abhishekaitcSo, the ‘U’ in #Budget2024 stands for UNEMPLOYMENT! pic.twitter.com/rRfWiHjSBy
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 24, 2024
“This is a Budget planned by two individuals to keep another two in good faith,” Abhishek Banerjee remarked, implying it was “planned by two, executed for two.” He further criticised the Budget as “anti-people,” claiming it was intended to “bribe two political parties and buy time before the government implodes.”
Banerjee’s reference to TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and JDU leader Nitish Kumar highlighted his point about the BJP’s reliance on these allies to secure the numbers needed to form the government after its electoral performance waned. He contended that the budget disproportionately favoured Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, states governed by the BJP’s key allies, while neglecting other regions.
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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman countered the TMC’s critique, particularly their claim that West Bengal received no significant benefits. “Yesterday, the TMC questioned the Budget, saying nothing has been given to West Bengal. Let me highlight the fact that several schemes given by the Prime Minister in the last 10 years have not even been implemented in West Bengal. And you have the audacity to ask me now?” she retorted in Rajya Sabha.
In response, Abhishek Banerjee challenged Nirmala Sitharaman to publish a white paper detailing the funds allocated to West Bengal following the BJP’s defeat in the 2021 state elections. He alleged that the Centre had withheld MGNREGA funds and delayed disbursing funds for housing projects under the PM Awas Yojana in West Bengal.
Abhishek Banerjee further criticised the allocation of funds, arguing that money meant for essential housing projects was instead used to purchase aircraft worth Rs 8,000 crore and to construct lavish buildings as part of the Rs 20,000 crore Central Vista project, while many citizens remained homeless.
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During the session, Speaker Om Birla urged members to refrain from commenting on individuals who are not members of the Lok Sabha. This prompted a strong reaction from Trinamool members, leading to a stern response from the Speaker.
“I want to clarify, the Chair said we should not comment on those who are not members of this House. I want to ask you, is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee a member of this House? Why did they comment? Please maintain the respect of your Chair and make them apologise. Then I will continue, you have to intervene,” Abhishek Banerjee asserted.
Ultimately, the Speaker removed Mamata Banerjee’s name from the record and called for decorum, urging members to respect the Chair’s position.
