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All-Party: An all-party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled for Tuesday at the Parliament complex, just days before the start of the Budget session. The session is set to begin on January 28 and will continue until April 2, marking one of the longest parliamentary sittings in the annual calendar.

Leaders Arrive for Pre-Session Consultations

Senior members of the Union government, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, arrived at Parliament ahead of the meeting. The discussions are expected to bring together representatives from across the political spectrum to outline priorities, address concerns, and set expectations for the forthcoming session.

Venue and Purpose of the Meeting

The all-party meeting will take place in the main Committee Room within the Parliament complex. Such meetings are a customary part of parliamentary procedure before major sessions, aimed at building consensus on legislative business and encouraging cooperation between the government and opposition parties. The agenda typically includes a broad overview of proposed discussions, legislative timelines, and procedural matters.

Budget Session Schedule and Structure

The Budget session will be conducted in two distinct phases, with a brief recess in between. The first phase will run from January 28 to February 13, followed by a break before the second phase resumes from March 9 and concludes on April 2. In total, Parliament is scheduled to meet for 30 sittings during this period, allowing time for debate, legislative work, and budget-related discussions.

Union Budget Presentation on February 1

A key highlight of the session will be the presentation of the Union Budget for the 2026–27 financial year, which is slated for February 1. The annual budget is one of the most closely watched events in Parliament, as it outlines the government’s fiscal priorities, expenditure plans, and revenue projections for the year ahead. Following the presentation, both Houses will engage in detailed discussions on budgetary allocations and policy proposals.

Presidential Address to Open Proceedings

The session will formally begin with an address by President Droupadi Murmu to a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The President’s address traditionally sets the tone for the session by highlighting key policy directions and legislative goals of the government. Members of Parliament from both Houses will attend the address, after which a motion of thanks will be debated.

Focus on Ensuring Smooth Parliamentary Functioning

The primary objective of the all-party meeting is to facilitate orderly conduct of business throughout the session. By discussing potential points of contention in advance, the government and opposition aim to minimize disruptions and ensure that scheduled debates and legislative work proceed as planned. Such consultations are seen as particularly important during budget sessions, given the volume and significance of business to be transacted.

Opposition Issues Likely to Be Raised

In recent parliamentary sessions, including the monsoon and winter sittings in 2025, opposition parties have repeatedly sought discussions on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls being conducted nationwide. The issue is expected to feature again during the Budget session, and may be raised during preliminary consultations as part of the agenda-setting process.

Congress Strategy Meeting Ahead of Session

Separately, the Congress Parliamentary Party’s strategy group is scheduled to meet on Tuesday at the residence of its chairperson, Sonia Gandhi. The meeting is intended to finalize the party’s approach for the Budget session, including key issues to be raised and coordination among its members in both Houses of Parliament.