BSP along with the Opposition boycotted the President’s address during Budget Session

Last updated on February 6th, 2021 at 08:59 am

Today, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) also joined 17 other Opposition parties in boycotting President Ram Nath Kovind’s address during the Budget session in the Parliament. 

“The BSP has chosen to boycott the President’s speech considering government’s failure to provide a solution to the farmers that are protesting against the three farm laws. and its continuous wavering of matters relating to people’s welfare,” BSP President Mayawati tweeted earlier today. 

On Thursday, Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad declared that 16 Opposition parties will boycott the President’s address in today’s Parliament session. The reason behind this decision is that the Bills (Farm Laws) were passed coercively in the House, without the presence of the Opposition, Azad added. 

Congress alongside Shiv Sena, NCP, AITC, JKNC, DMK, SP, CPI(M), RJD, CPI, RSP, IUML, PDP, RSP, MDMK, and AIUDF published in a joint statement that they will not attend the President’s speech to mark their dissent against the three farm laws. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Aam Admi Party (AAP) also chose to skip the President’s address today. 

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP Government continue to be adamant, arrogant, and undemocratic in their response to the farmer’s agitation against the three farm laws. Stunned by the insensitivity of the Government, we, the Opposition parties, reaffirming the joint demand for the nullification of the Anti Farmer Laws and in solidarity towards the farmers, we have decided to boycott President’s speech at the Houses of Parliament on Friday, Jan 29, 2021,” the joint statement signed by senior Opposition leaders, read. 

Mayawati in a tweet urged the Central Government not to make a scapegoat of the farmer leaders for the violence that occurred in Delhi during the truck rally on 26 Jan 2021. We also urge the government to normalize the chaotic situation in Delhi by withdrawing from the three farm laws, she added. 

However, on Thursday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi requested the Opposition to pull back from their proposed boycott. 

“The government is ready to discuss address all issues and required time will be set aside to talk when the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the two Houses meet,” Joshi added.