Cong files privilege motion against Gowda, says rail budget was leaked

The Congress today levelled serious allegations against the Narendra Modi-led government, claiming the Railway budget was leaked before it was read out in the parliament yesterday.

Congress has claimed breach of privilege, and moved a privilege notice against Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda in the upper house of Parliament. The Rajya Sabha chairman will decide whether to admit the notice, or not.

Yesterday, the Modi government tabled its maiden railway budget, which led to a disruption in parliament proceedings as discussion heated up. The budget came under blistering attack from the opposition with Congress, Trinamool Congress and Left parties lambasting the government over the issues of FDI, privatisation and the PPP route.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi also slammed the railway budget yesterday, saying it lacked vision and offered nothing for the poor.

“It’s a poor budget. Many states like Kerala and West Bengal have been left out,” Gandhi told reporters in the Parliament building following the presentation of the railway budget by Gowda.

He added that there was “nothing for the poor” in the budget and that it is “unimaginative” and “lacks any strategic vision”.

West Bengal Chief Minister and former rail minister Mamata Banerjee went to the extent of claiming that it was an attempt to “sell out the country”.

TMC members had also disrupted proceedings in Lok Sabha as they demanded the withdrawal of the rail budget.

With inputs from PTI