Budget 2024: BJD MPs walkout from Rajya Sabha over denial of ‘special status’ to Odisha

Biju Janata Dal lawmakers staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, July 23, as the Union Budget was being laid out. MPs from the Odisha-based party claimed they were leaving the Parliament as their state had been denied a ‘special category’.

“BJD has objected to this budget and walked out of the Rajya Sabha, strongly protesting the continued neglect of Odisha in the Union Budget. We find that the demands of Odisha have not been met. We term this Budget anti-Odisha,” party's MP Sasmit Patra said.

Nirmala Sitharaman presented the first Budget of the Modi 3.0 government and her seventh consecutive during the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Tuesday, July 23.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to ensure the ‘all-round development’ of eastern India and develop various tourist sites in Odisha as part of the Budget on Tuesday. The BJD spokesperson, however, said that the party had walked out “due to denial of Special Category State status to Odisha”.

The FM also unveiled major sops for NDA ally-led Bihar and Andhra Pradesh — including a boost in infrastructure and special financial support.

“Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar have been asking for Special Category. The two states got additional special funds, but Odisha's demand was not considered. Probably this is the punishment meted out to Odisha for electing 20 Lok Sabha BJP MPs out of 21 MPs from Odisha and the reward to the BJP allies from Bihar and Andhra Pradesh,” Patra added.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders from Odisha have hailed the Budget for its focus on developing the tourism sector. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida thanked the Finance Minister and the Centre following the Budget announcements.

"For the development of Odisha, tourism is the prime sector. There are more than 400 km of coastal highways; there is wildlife, landscapes, and scenery; there are also Buddhist pilgrimage centres here, as well as tribal culture and handlooms. I welcome the announcement made by the Centre for the further development of tourism in Odisha," she told ANI.

(With inputs from agencies)