Budget 2026 Proceedings Marked by Unprecedented Parliamentary Contrast
In what could be described as a striking departure from previous budgetary presentations, the Lok Sabha witnessed a remarkable contrast during Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget 2026-27 speech. The nearly 90-minute address unfolded with persistent, perfunctory desk-thumping from the treasury benches while the opposition maintained an almost complete silence throughout the proceedings.
A Sedate Affair Despite Charged Expectations
The atmosphere remained surprisingly sedate despite expectations of heated protests. Opposition members had reportedly prepared for short bursts of demonstrations at mentions of contentious issues like employment schemes, similar to their response during the President's joint address earlier in the week. However, the anticipated confrontations failed to materialize as the speech progressed without significant provocation.
Notable Arrivals and Empty Benches
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav entered the Lok Sabha when the House was practically empty, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the customary chants of Bharat Mata Ki Jai upon his arrival. Senior BJP leaders including Modi, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and Shivraj Chouhan occupied prominent front-row positions. An interesting moment occurred when Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi entered briskly just as Sitharaman began speaking, momentarily confusing some observers who mistook the subsequent applause from BJP benches as directed toward him rather than the Finance Minister's historic ninth consecutive budget presentation.
The visual contrast was stark: ruling party benches remained packed throughout, while numerous empty chairs dotted the opposition side of the House.
Breaking the Silence: Sporadic Protests
The unusual quiet persisted for the first 24 minutes before DMK's Dayanidhi Maran reacted to the mention of "Chennai" in connection with a scheme, prompting another MP to question "(What about) Kerala?" Much later, Maran muttered again when NIMHANS for North India was referenced. These isolated incidents represented the extent of opposition vocalization during the entire speech.
Strategic Omissions and Careful Phrasing
Observers noted the speech's careful construction avoided traditional protest triggers. Buzzwords that typically ignite parliamentary reactions—such as youth, Dalits, tribals, backwards, employment, and farmers—were either absent or skillfully integrated within broader contexts without rhetorical emphasis. The absence of direct references to potentially controversial programs like MGNREGA or specific schemes that might have provoked opposition response contributed significantly to the subdued atmosphere.
Political analysts suggest recent upper caste protests over UGC rules may have prompted additional caution in the speech's formulation. Notably missing was anticipated special emphasis on poll-bound states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal, despite the upcoming electoral calendar.
Tax Proposals and Final Moments
After 55 minutes of steady delivery against the backdrop of NDA applause and opposition silence, Sitharaman transitioned to Part B concerning taxation. At precisely 12:25 PM, she commended the Budget to the House, triggering louder desk-thumping and the customary rush of MPs to offer congratulations. Only at this concluding moment did Congress members Kodikunnil Suresh and K C Venguopal voice complaints about insufficient provisions for Kerala, but their protests came too late to disrupt the proceedings.
Symbolic Sartorial Choice
Adding cultural and political symbolism to the occasion, Finance Minister Sitharaman selected a handwoven Kanjivaram saree for her presentation. This choice served dual purposes: highlighting traditional Indian textiles in alignment with the government's Vocal for Local initiative while paying respect to Tamil Nadu's cultural legacy ahead of the state's upcoming elections. Her consistent preference for handlooms during budget presentations has become a notable aspect of her ministerial tenure, blending political messaging with cultural representation.
