NEW DELHI: A row broke out over the presentation of the Union Budget in Parliament following death of the sitting MP and former union minister E Ahamed on Wednesday. Congress accused the Centre of delaying the announcement of the death of Ahamed at government-run RML hospital in Delhi to facilitate the presentation of Budget as scheduled.
Ahamed died at 2.15 AM at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital where he was admitted on Thursday and put on artificial life support. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest during the President's address at the joint sitting of Parliament and was rushed to RML hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
Ahamed's death had led to uncertainty over the presentation of the much-awaited Union Budget 2017. As per convention, the House adjourns for a day in case a sitting member passes away. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, however, later tweeted that he would present the Budget. Sources said that the decision to conduct the budget was taken on Wednesday morning in a high-level meeting.
As soon as the Lok Sabha session started on Wednesday, Congress leaders demanded to postpone the presentation of the budget.
However, rejecting demands Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed Finance minister Arun Jaitley to carry out the exercise saying it was a "constitutional obligation". Mahajan, however, said Lok Sabha will not sit tomorrow as a mark of respect for the departed leader.
"This is an inhuman act. To deal with a politician like this at such a time is not acceptable. There is ample time for conducting the Budget. They could have postponed the Budget and conducted it tomorrow but they have dismissed this," Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters.
High drama prevailed at RML hospital when top Congress leaders visited the hospital to enquire about Ahamed's health last night amid allegations that his family was not being allowed to meet him.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, party vice president Rahul Gandhi, leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, besides other party leaders rushed to the hospital late at night and met Ahamed's family.
Sources add that Ahamed's son, daughters and son-in-law were at the hospital and even had an exchange of hot words with the hospital authorities. Former Defence minister and Congress leader A K Antony termed as "cruel" the behaviour of the RML Hospital authorities towards Ahamed's family members.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and other top leaders cutting across party lines paid rich tributes to Ahamed.
Modi said Ahamed's efforts for empowerment of the Muslim community will be remembered, noting that he served the nation with great diligence. He said Ahamed devoted significant efforts towards Kerala's progress and his role in deepening India's ties with West Asia was notable.
In an obvious reference to the demand for delaying the budget announcement following the death of Ahamed, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the "controversial budget" became even more controversial. “Controversial budget became even more controversial," Banerjee said in a statement.