Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), February 24: The fifth day of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly budget session was marred by disruptions as Samajwadi Party (SP) MLAs staged a protest following remarks made by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak. The protest ensued after Pathak’s comment, which appeared to be directed at the late SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, though no names were explicitly mentioned.
The commotion led to intervention by Vidhan Sabha Speaker Satish Mahana, who directed the protesting SP MLAs to leave the assembly in order to restore order to the proceedings.
The budget session, which began on February 20, is scheduled to continue until March 5. The session includes the presentation of the annual budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026, which is expected to exceed Rs 8 lakh crore. The budget, presented by UP Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, outlines several key initiatives, including the development of an Artificial Intelligence City, a cyber security-focused technology research park, the provision of scooties for meritorious students, and the construction of four new expressways. Additionally, 58 municipalities are planned to be developed into smart municipalities.
Earlier in the session, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had urged the opposition to cooperate, ensuring a smooth and productive session until March 5. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of both the government and the opposition to facilitate the smooth functioning of the session. CM Adityanath praised the achievements of the double-engine BJP government in the state and urged the opposition to engage in meaningful discussions rather than obstructing the proceedings.
The session continues to be a platform for heated political debates, with disruptions from the opposition reflecting ongoing tensions.