Drama unfolded in Lucknow’s assembly as the Uttar Pradesh budget session commenced via the Governor’s joint session address. Opposition heavyweights BSP, SP, and Congress swiftly pivoted to attack, portraying the speech as a mere showcase of unverified government feats, blind to everyday struggles.
BSP chief Mayawati’s X post captured the sentiment: the traditional opener merited more zeal for holistic development and public uplift. Instead, it glossed over policy pitfalls tormenting UP’s masses—poverty, unemployment, family burdens, and paramount fears for life, assets, and beliefs. ‘Governor should have flagged these for urgent fixes, quelling opposition unrest,’ she stated, linking it to the session’s disruptions.
Lacking accountability on BJP pledges for citizen welfare, the address stoked doubts ripe for budget clarification.
SP MLA Shivpal Yadav blasted it as ‘phony adulation for a graft-infested setup.’ Congress’s Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ trashed the voluminous script as ‘lies and vaporware,’ with the Governor’s partial recitation betraying superficial gains.
She unpacked the discrepancies: touted security improvements belie escalating offenses, corruption booms, police ranks yawn empty by lakhs. Health sector boasts falter—new colleges want for structures, medics, support, medicines. Agri woes mount from untimely supplies and hostile policies hurting tillers.
Kicking off proceedings, Congress with INDIA partners protested vociferously at Chaudhary Charan Singh’s statue over employment droughts, soaring prices, peasant plights, healthcare havoc, and SIR snags.
The acrimonious debut foreshadows a fractious session, where opposition vows to pierce the veil of propaganda with demands for tangible action.