BJP asks LS MPs to remain in House during budget discussion

The BJP directed its Lok Sabha MPs to be present in full strength during the budget discussion in the House on Tuesday as it is likely to demand voting on certain amendments moved by it and wanted to send a message across to the people.

At the weekly Parliamentary Party meeting on Tuesday, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj asked BJP members from the Lower House to be present during the budget proceedings.

However, no whip has been issued in this regard, party sources said.

The BJP has demanded certain cuts and rollbacks in the budget and is likely to seek division of votes. One of the rollbacks being demanded by the party is on the increase in customs duty on import of gold, excise duty on unbranded jewellery and imposition of tax on any purchase of jewellery worth more than Rs2 Lakh announced in the budget.

The opposition party is also opposed to Service Tax exemption given to gambling.

Though these amendments will not be passed as the BJP does not have the numbers, the party wants to send across a message to the electorate, the sources said.

BJP MPs Kailash Joshi and Yashwant Sinha will speak on behalf of the party during the budget debate in the Lok Sabha.

The BJP Parliamentary Party also gave a farewell to four Rajya Sabha members- Deputy Leader of BJP in the Upper House SS Ahluwalia, Bal Apte, KB Shanappa and Anusuiya Uikey- who are completing their tenure this week and have not been given a fresh term.