Budget session set for 'EPIC' showdown; Waqf Bill likely top priority for govt

The second phase of the Budget session of Parliament is starting today, Monday, in which the government and the Opposition are expected to clash on the issues of the voter photo ID card 'EPIC' (electoral photo identity card), as well as the related issue of alleged manipulation in voter lists. Alongside, also expected to come up are the draft Waqf Bill, the latest incidents of violence in Manipur and India's stand in dealing with the Trump administration.

Along with this, issues like the ongoing political turmoil over the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies are also expected to be raised during the session. Also likely to come up is India's dealings with the Trump administration.

Rajya Sabha Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has said leaders of the Opposition INDIA bloc will hold 'extensive discussions' to jointly oppose the Waqf Bill.

Speaking to PTI recently, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant said, "The government is trying to set a Hindu-Muslim narrative (with the Waqf Bill) and that it is here to protect the Hindus. You protect the interests of Hindus. We too are doing that. To protect the interest of Hindus does not mean (one has) to create hatred (towards) other people."

The focus of the government will be on getting Parliament's nod for the demands for grants, completion of budgetary process, seeking approval for the Manipur budget and passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill.

Home minister Amit Shah is expected to move a statutory resolution seeking Parliament approval for the proclamation of President's Rule in Manipur, while finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to table the budget for the state. Manipur has been under President's Rule since 13 February following the resignation of chief minister N. Biren Singh.

The Opposition said it is set to corner the government over the issue of duplicate EPIC numbers. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has taken the lead in flagging the issue, following which the Election Commission of India (ECI) declared that it would take corrective measures within the next three months.

The ECI also rejected the TMC claim that the voter lists were manipulated to allow voters from other states to exercise their franchise in West Bengal.

The poll body also made it clear that while the EPIC numbers of some voters "may be identical", other details such as demographic information, assembly segment and polling booth are different.

TMC leaders are meeting the ECI today and have also rallied other Opposition parties, including the Congress, DMK, and Shiv Sena-UBT, to raise the issue in both Houses of Parliament during the second half of the Budget session.

Ramesh has also said the Congress will keep raising the issue of irregularities in the election process, alleging that elections are "no longer free and fair" and are being "masterminded and orchestrated".

Yet another major priority for the government is the early passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill. Parliamentary and minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said at the India Today Conclave last week that the government is keen on the early passage of the as it will "solve many issues" of the Muslim community. A joint parliamentary committee submitted its report on the Bill in the Lok Sabha in January amid vociferous protests by the Opposition.

Moreover, issues such as the fresh violence in Manipur, the threat of reciprocal tariffs by US President Donald Trump, and the political furore over the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies are also expected to find an echo in Parliament.

Ramesh said the Congress will raise the issue of Trump's reciprocal-tariff threats during the session and called for a bipartisan collective resolve to deal with the threats.

The first half of the Budget session of Parliament was from 31 January to 13 February. The second half will commence today, 10 March and continue until 4 April.

With PTI inputs