The fourth day of Parliament’s Budget Session unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political tension, as both Houses prepare to take up the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address while the opposition signals strong protests over the Union Budget 2026–27 and controversial allegations linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case. With key legislative business scheduled and disruptions anticipated, the day is expected to test parliamentary decorum and the government’s ability to steer debate amid sustained political confrontation.
Motion of Thanks Debate Begins as Opposition Signals Disruptions
Monday marks an important stage in the Budget Session, with Parliament expected to begin discussions on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, delivered at the start of the session last week. The debate traditionally provides lawmakers an opportunity to discuss the government’s broader policy direction, achievements, and priorities outlined in the President’s speech, while also allowing the opposition to raise concerns and criticisms on national and international issues.
The Motion of Thanks debate comes a day after the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27, which was tabled in Parliament on Sunday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. While the budget laid out the government’s fiscal roadmap for the coming financial year, it has already drawn criticism from opposition parties, who argue that it failed to provide substantial relief to the common people amid rising economic pressures.
Adding to the charged atmosphere, Congress MP Manickam Tagore has submitted an Adjournment Motion Notice in the Lok Sabha, seeking an urgent discussion on what he described as serious international reports allegedly referencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi in communications linked to Jeffrey Epstein. The notice has further sharpened political tempers, with the ruling party dismissing the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, while the opposition insists on a detailed discussion in Parliament.
The opposition has indicated that it is likely to disrupt proceedings over both the budget and the Epstein-related matter, raising the possibility of repeated adjournments and stalled legislative work. Parliamentary sources suggest that floor coordination meetings among opposition parties have already taken place, with a strategy to press for discussions on these issues during the Motion of Thanks debate.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her 85-minute budget speech on Sunday, refrained from announcing sweeping populist measures. While she highlighted administrative reforms such as easier income tax filing, proposed new railway projects, and the establishment of three new Ayurvedic AIIMS, critics argue that the budget lacked direct financial relief for salaried individuals, farmers, and the urban poor. The government, however, has defended the budget as growth-oriented, fiscally responsible, and focused on long-term structural reforms rather than short-term giveaways.
As Parliament reconvenes, the government is expected to use the Motion of Thanks debate to reinforce its narrative of economic stability, reform-driven governance, and national security priorities. At the same time, opposition leaders are likely to use the floor to question the government’s handling of the economy, social welfare, and foreign policy, while also pushing for accountability on the Epstein allegations.
Budget Session Roadmap, Pending Bills and Recap of Initial Proceedings
The ongoing Budget Session is scheduled to have 30 sittings spread over 65 days, making it one of the longer sessions in recent years. The session is set to conclude on April 2, with the first phase ending on February 13 and the second phase resuming on March 9 after a recess. The extended duration reflects the volume of legislative business planned, including the passage of the budget, consideration of multiple bills, and discussions on key policy issues.
At present, nine bills are pending in the Lok Sabha, many of which are under examination by parliamentary standing committees or select committees. Among them is the Developing India Education Foundation Bill, 2025, which aims to reform and streamline educational funding and institutional governance. Another significant piece of legislation is the Securities Markets Code, 2025, intended to consolidate and modernise laws governing India’s financial markets. Also pending is the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, which proposes changes to constitutional provisions and has already generated considerable debate across party lines.
Whether these bills will be taken up for discussion during the current phase of the session will largely depend on how smoothly proceedings run amid the anticipated disruptions. Parliamentary affairs officials have indicated that the government is keen to move forward with legislative business, but acknowledged that sustained protests could derail the schedule.
The first three days of the Budget Session set the tone for what has become an increasingly contentious parliamentary atmosphere. On January 28, the session formally began with President Droupadi Murmu’s address to a joint sitting of Parliament. In her 45-minute speech, the President outlined the government’s vision, achievements, and future priorities, touching upon issues of national security, economic growth, infrastructure development, and India’s global role.
During her address, the President referred to Operation Sindoor, highlighting the government’s emphasis on security and strategic preparedness. She also spoke about legal and administrative reforms, including references to law and order and governance initiatives. Emphasising infrastructure development, she noted that 150 Vande Bharat trains are currently operating across the country, symbolising rapid modernisation of India’s rail network. The President also spoke about India’s progress in the space sector, stating that the country is moving swiftly towards establishing its own space station.
On the economic front, the President highlighted the potential impact of a proposed free trade agreement with the European Union, stating that it would strengthen both the services and manufacturing sectors while generating employment opportunities for young people. Her address was positioned by the government as a comprehensive overview of its performance and ambitions, though opposition parties later criticised it as self-congratulatory.
The second day of the session, January 29, saw the tabling of the Economic Survey in Parliament. Presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha, the survey offered what the government described as the country’s “economic report card.” It projected GDP growth in the range of 6.8 per cent to 7.2 per cent for the 2026–27 financial year, reflecting optimism about India’s medium-term economic prospects despite global uncertainties.
Speaking to the media outside Parliament that day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that reform, performance, and transformation had been the defining pillars of his government’s approach. He remarked that the country was now moving ahead on what he termed a “reform express,” signalling continued momentum on structural changes across sectors.
The third major milestone of the session came on February 1, when Finance Minister Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026–27. The budget proposed a 15 per cent increase in defence spending, a move that the government linked to security imperatives in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. While the increase in defence allocation was welcomed by strategic experts, the budget drew mixed reactions overall.
One of the notable aspects of the budget was the decision to leave income tax rates unchanged, a move that disappointed sections of the middle class hoping for relief. The Finance Minister, however, emphasised administrative simplification, including measures aimed at making tax filing easier and more efficient. She also announced new railway projects to expand connectivity and proposed the establishment of three new Ayurvedic AIIMS to strengthen traditional medicine infrastructure alongside mainstream healthcare.
Despite these announcements, opposition leaders criticised the budget for what they described as a lack of concrete measures to address inflation, unemployment, and rural distress. The budget debate is expected to intensify as the session progresses, particularly during discussions on the Motion of Thanks and the subsequent detailed examination of budgetary allocations.
Against this backdrop, Day Four of the Budget Session assumes particular significance. With the Motion of Thanks debate beginning and the opposition preparing to raise multiple contentious issues, the proceedings are likely to reflect the broader political contest between the government’s push for legislative momentum and the opposition’s efforts to hold it to account on economic and political fronts.
