The Budget Session of the Parliament is set to commence from January 31 to February 9. President Droupadi Murmu will address the session on its first day, January 31, and the economic survey is scheduled for presentation on the same day. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to table an interim budget on February 1, given the upcoming general elections.
In contrast, the previous winter session of the Parliament faced challenges, including a security breach, protests, and a record suspension of opposition MLAs. On December 13, marking the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D breached the Lok Sabha chamber, creating chaos before being subdued by MPs. Simultaneously, Amol Shinde and Neelam Azad sprayed colored gas outside Parliament premises.
All four individuals were immediately taken into custody, with Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat arrested later. The Opposition criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, demanding statements from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament. This led to disruptions, resulting in the suspension of 146 Opposition MPs between December 14 and 21 when Parliament adjourned sine die.
During the session, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra was suspended for ethical misconduct. With a reduced Opposition presence, the government successfully tabled three criminal laws to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973; and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, receiving approval from both Houses and the President’s assent.