Parliament's Budget Session-II begins March 9, all eyes on UP results

The second part of parliament's budget session starting March 9 is expected to begin on a somber note but fireworks may follow a colourful Holi as both the treasury and the opposition benches are awaiting the assembly poll results in five states on March 11.

With March 13 being a holiday on account of Holi, the reflection of assembly results, particularly what happens in Uttar Pradesh, will be witnessed on March 14 or March 15 if March 14 is declared a holiday. The bitterly fought UP polls saw PM Modi, BSP chief Mayawati and SP-Congress leaders Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi attacked each other to get the maximum share of the pie. The results in the politically crucial state are expected to determine whether the ruling BJP or the Congress-led opposition, will adopt a more aggressive posture in parliament.

During the first half of the budget session, January 31 to February 9, the Opposition had targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the impact of demonetisation and picked holes in the budget 2017-18 presented by finance minister Arun Jaitley.

According to Congress managers, the party will raise issues of public interest and whether there is peace in the houses or not will depend on how the government responds to their concerns.

"If the government agrees to debate the issues raised by us, will corner them over facts. But if they try to suppress the voice of Opposition there could be disruption," Congress chief whip in the Rajya Sabha, Satyavrat Chaturvedi, told Business Standard.

The Opposition leaders are expected to meet informally on March 9 morning before the parliament convenes to discuss strategy for the coming session. TMC lawmaker Saugata Roy said his party MPs will meet on March 9 to devise strategy separately.

The Rajya Sabha is expected to resume the debate on finance minister's budget speech which could not be concluded in part one.

According to CPI-M Lok Sabha member Mohammad Salim, his party will raise issues like impact of note ban on economy, joblessness, farm sector distress and communal flare ups in Kerala and Assam.

Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar reviewed the government preparedness along with senior officials. The legislative agenda listed ahead of part one would continue during the second half of the budget session, said officials.