Jaitley breaks ice, Walks up to opposition before budget


Posted on 2nd Mar 2015 10:43 am by mohit kumar

New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) The government sought to reach out to the opposition ahead of the budget presentation in the Lok Sabha Saturday with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley walking up to the opposition benches and chatting with senior leaders, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Jaitley entered the house a good 10 minutes before his budget speech and spoke with Gandhi and other leaders, including Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kamal Nath.

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, who sits next to Sonia Gandhi, also shook hands with the finance minister, who was then seen having a conversation with former union minister Kamal Nath.

The Congress leader in fact followed Jaitley back to his seat.

Opposition leaders have been up in arms against the ordinance to amend the land acquisition bill. The government has been trying to reach out to many parties, specially the Congress to get the bill passed.

Many MPs had to squeeze into their seats with the Lok Sabha witnessing a full house in view of the budget and a few found accommodation only with difficulty.

Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti, who came in at least five minutes after the speech had begun was accommodated by Health Minister J.P. Nadda who quickly vacated his seat for her.

While Nadda went and sat elsewhere, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who was sitting next to him, found himself flanked by two formidable women - Uma Bharti and Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi.

A smiling Parrikar leaned forward to let the women have a conversation.

Jaitley, who had undergone a surgery last year, was asked by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan whether he wanted to continue with his speech while sitting.

To this, the finance minister replied that he would "seek the chair's permission if required". But soon thereafter he sat down for most of his one-and-a-half hour speech though he got up again before finishing.

Many members of an otherwise quiet opposition protested when the finance minister announced turning certain heritage sites into tourist destinations.

Trinamool Congress MPs, who were seen protesting that their state doesn't find mention in the heritage places list, fell silent after West Bengal was given a special development grant.

Some terms, which the finance minister used, left not only the layman but also some MPs clueless.

For example when Jaitley announced the GIFT in Gujarat, opposition MPs were seen shouting "what is that".

GIFT or Gujarat International Finance Tec-City has been envisaged as an international finance centre, which would have avenues to fully exhibit and exploit India's financial acumen.

As soon as the house broke up after the budget speech, NDA leaders came up to congratulate Jaitley.

However, the biggest pat on the back was from veteran leaders L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was listening to the speech with his earphones on, also congratulated the finance minister.

0 Like 0 Dislike
Previous news Next news
Other news

PAK Army-Afghan Taliban clash: 6 people killed and 17 injured, heavy tension on the border of both countries

Tension is increasing between Pakistan and Afghanistan. There was tremendous firing on the border

The bodies of 46 migrants were found in the truck in America: 100 people were stuffed, being hidden from Mexico and brought to Texas

On Monday, the bodies of 46 migrants were found in a truck parked on the roadside in Texas, USA.

US Commander said: India-America facing similar security challenges from China, Biden government is providing such help

America's top commander has said in his statement that the security challenges of India and Ameri

Deaths of Russians: Hotelier worried over the death of two Russian tourists in Odisha, demands this from CM Patnaik

The mysterious death of two Russian tourists in Odisha's Raigad district has raised concerns amon

People above 18 years will get booster dose free of cost, new railway project also approved; Big decisions of Modi cabinet

People above the age of 18 years will be able to get the precautionary (third dose) of the Covid

RBSE 10th Result 2022: Rajasthan Board 10th class result released, will be able to check like this

RBSE 10th Result 2022: The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) has announced the date f

India-Pak final not held in Asia Cup till date: Tournament organized 14 times in 38 years, Team India is in the forefront with 7 titles

The countdown for the Asia Cup has started. There are only 13 days left. This tournament has alwa

Weather Update: The situation worsens due to fog in the plains of North India, Meteorological Department warns - the situation will worsen further.

The plains of Indus-Ganga are in the grip of severe fog these days. The Indo-Gangetic plains incl

India-Pakistan clash every year: PCB President Rameez Raja will present the proposal before the ICC, know what is the neighbor's plan

Fans of both countries eagerly wait to watch the cricket match between India and Pakistan. Due to

Haryana schools to remain closed till April 30 for classes up to 8th, Chief Minister directs Orders

Educational institutions across the country have once again reached the verge of closure at an un

Sign up to write
Sign up now if you have flare of writing..
Login   |   Register
Follow Us
Indyaspeak @ Facebook Indyaspeak @ Twitter Indyaspeak @ Pinterest RSS



Play Free Quiz and Win Cash