March 10, 2025: The second phase of Parliament’s Budget session resumes today, with a heated debate expected between the ruling party and the Opposition over multiple contentious issues, including delimitation, electoral roll irregularities, the economic impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies, and the ongoing violence in Manipur.

The government’s primary focus will be securing approval for the demands for grants and completing the budgetary process. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the budget for Manipur, which has been under President’s Rule since February 13. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will move a statutory resolution seeking parliamentary approval for the continuation of President’s Rule in the violence-hit northeastern state.

A key legislative priority for the government is the Waqf Amendment Bill, which Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju recently described as crucial for addressing concerns within the Muslim community. However, the Opposition, led by the INDIA bloc, has vowed to resist the bill, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh confirming plans for extensive consultations on a joint strategy.

Opposition Gears Up for Battle

The Opposition is expected to corner the government on several fronts. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has flagged alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, particularly cases of duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers. While the Election Commission has dismissed allegations of voter list manipulation, the issue is likely to dominate parliamentary debates.

Delimitation concerns have also taken center stage, with DMK, Congress, and regional parties like BJD and TMC raising objections to constituency reallocation based on population changes. DMK leader MK Stalin has warned that such an exercise could unfairly reduce Tamil Nadu’s representation in Parliament.

Another major issue on the Opposition's radar is the potential economic impact of reciprocal tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. With concerns growing over India's export sector, Congress has called for a bipartisan approach to counter these tariff challenges.

As the session progresses, political confrontations are expected to intensify, making this legislative phase a crucial battleground ahead of the upcoming general elections. The Budget session will run until April 4, setting the stage for one of the most politically charged debates in recent times.