More Modi play coming? Budget session schedule sparks speculation

Speculation is rife about Centre's decision to call a 14-day Budget session beginning January 31. According to a TOI report, the move is being seen to indicate NDA's determination to try and push through some pending legislations such as the citizenship amendment bill and the bill to make triple talaq punishable, and probably few more "surprises" such as the quota for the poor among forwards.

The nearly two-week session that extends well after the presentation of the interim Budget on February 1 has raised speculation in political circles that the government is keen to make the session a purposeful one.

As the session will begin close to the national elections, the opposition is unlikely to be particularly cooperative on contentious legislation but the government would make a stab at bills like amendments to the Aadhaar Act passed by Lok Sabha. However, as was seen with the bill for 10% quota for the economically weak, there is scope for legislation that parties might find difficult to oppose.


The winter session has been acrimonious with Rajya Sabha barely functioning. In fact, the detailed discussion on the quota for the less well-off among forwards was the first full day - despite one adjournment - in the upper House with the vote on the bill taking place well into the night.

The swift passage of the quota bill, within a couple of days of the Cabinet clearing it, is seen as the first among more such moves in the run-up to the polls. These would include measures that do not require parliamentary sanction such possible income support for farmers but a mix of legislation and debates could be on the cards.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi making it clear that the court process with regard to the Ram temple will not be pre-empted, there is not much possibility of a legislation on the lines demanded by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh. The Supreme Court will begin hearing the case on Thursday and it is unclear whether a verdict will be available before the election.