New Delhi: In his customary joint address to Parliament — which was boycotted by 20 Opposition parties led by the Congress in solidarity with farmers’ protests seeking the repeal of three farm laws — President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday defended the controversial legislations and slammed as “‘very unfortunate” the violence during the farmers’ tractor parade on Republic Day.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister while addressing media persons on the first day of the Budget session, said that finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had to give around five mini budgets (the Atmanirbhar packages announced by her since May 2020) last year and expressed confidence that the upcoming Union Budget would be considered a part of that series.
Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu raised slogans like “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” during Kovind’s hour-long address and demanded repeal of the three farm laws.
Some other Opposition MPs could also be heard raising slogans in the Central Hall’s gallery.
Kovind…