Today in Politics: All Eyes on Modi Govt 3.0’s First Budget Against a Changed Political Backdrop
The political landscape is buzzing with anticipation as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget for 2024–25. This marks the first budget under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term, a term characterized by a notable shift in political dynamics. This will be the first Budget in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term in office. The Political Shift Unlike Modi’s previous terms, the BJP no longer holds a majority on its own and relies heavily on its NDA allies, particularly the TDP led by N Chandrababu Naidu and the JD(U) led by Nitish Kumar. This dependency adds an intriguing layer to this year’s budget, as both allies have outlined specific demands, including special category status (SCS) and special projects for their states, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. Anticipated Debates and Strategies The three-week-long Budget session, which kicked off on Monday, promises to be contentious. This was evident during the customary all-party meeting on Sunday, where coal...