Rahul Gandhi Attacks Narendra Modi Govt With ‘Halwa Budget’ & ‘Chakravyuh’ Jibes

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday tore into the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, accusing it of perpetuating a Mahabharata-like ‘chakravyuh‘ and unleashing terror in the country. 

He claimed that India is trapped by financial power, central agencies, and political institutions while accusing Union Budget 2024-25 of bolstering monopolies.

“”Thousands of years ago, in Kurukshetra, six people trapped Abhimanyu in a ‘chakravyuh‘ and killed him. I did a little research and learned that ‘chakravyuh‘ is also known as ‘padmavuyh‘, which means ‘Lotus formation’. The ‘chakravyuh‘ is in the shape of a Lotus,” Gandhi said during a debate on the Union Budget.

Rahul alleged that a new ‘chakravyuh’ has been formed that too in the form of a Lotus in 21st century. “The Prime Minister wears its symbol on his chest. What was done with Abhimanyu, is being down with India – the youth, farmers, women, small and mediums businesses…The ‘chakravyuh’ that has captured India has 3 forces behind it – financial power, institutions (agencies, CBI, ED, IT of this nation) and political executive. These 3 together, are at the heart of ‘chakravyuh’ and they have devastated this country,” he said.

“Today, too, there are six people in the centre of ‘chakravyuh‘ – Narendra Modi, (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah, (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwat, (National Security Advisor) Ajit Doval, (industrialists) Ambani and Adani,” he added, drawing loud protests in Parliament.

“…There is an atmosphere of fear in India and that fear has pervaded every aspect of our country…,” he further said, adding that the BJP MPs are equally scared.

Rahul said that Opposition would break this ‘chakravyuh‘ by carrying out a caste census. “Like I said, INDI Alliance will pass guaranteed legal MSP in this House. Similarly, we will pass the caste census in this House, whether you like it or not,” he added.

The Budget session turned heated when the LoP ridiculed the Halwa ceremony featuring Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to debate inclusivity in the making of the Union Budget 2024. “Budget ka halwa’ is being distributed in this photo. I can’t see one OBC or tribal or a Dalit officer in this. Desh ka halwa bant raha hai aur 73% hai hi nahi. 20 officers prepared the Budget of India…Hindustan ka halwa 20 logon ne baatne ka kaam kiya hai…,” he said raising a photograph of the ceremony.

The comment made the FM cover her face and laugh while nodding in disagreement.

Rahul further said that the Budget has not addressed issue of tax terrorism that has hurt small businesses hard. “The finance minister did not mention the issue of paper leaks, which is affecting the youth. There are no provisions in budget for pension for Agniveers. A legal guarantee of MSP in the Budget would have helped farmers get out of ‘chakravyuh’, but the government did nothing in that regard. Dalits, tribals, and backward classes account for 73 per cent of the population, but hardly get anything from Union Budget,” he said.