In a poignant moment that transcended political boundaries, the Lok Sabha witnessed an unusual scene of solidarity on Sunday as members from various parties set aside their differences to offer condolences to NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule. This occurred shortly after she returned from the cremation of her cousin and prominent NCP leader, Ajit Pawar.
A Heartfelt Gathering Amid Budget Preparations
Just minutes before Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was scheduled to begin her Budget presentation, the atmosphere in the House shifted from political anticipation to one of empathy. Opposition MPs gathered around Supriya Sule as she entered the Lok Sabha, accompanied by her friend and DMK MP K Kanimozhi.
Cross-Party Condolences Flow Freely
The first to approach the Baramati MP was Congress's Hibi Eden, setting off a chain of heartfelt gestures. He was followed by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Tariq Anwar, demonstrating the Congress party's support. RSP member N K Premachandran, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, and RJD's Misa Bharti also joined in, offering their sympathies to Sule during this difficult time.
According to an MP present, many other parliamentarians continued to convey their condolences to the family after the House proceedings concluded, highlighting the widespread respect and camaraderie that emerged despite the typically divisive political environment.
JD(U) Leader's Unique Budget Viewing Choice
In a related but distinct development, Janata Dal (United) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jha opted for an unconventional approach to witness the Budget proceedings. Instead of waiting for the Union Budget to be tabled in the Upper House later in the day, Jha decided to observe from the media gallery of the Lok Sabha.
Personal and Academic Interest Drives Decision
The senior JD(U) leader, who is considered a close aide of Bihar Chief Minister and party president Nitish Kumar, chose to sit among journalists as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the 'Viksit Bharat Budget' for nearly an hour and a half. Sources indicated that this decision was driven by personal and academic interest, showcasing a keen engagement with the budgetary process beyond formal parliamentary duties.
This incident underscores how personal moments and professional interests can occasionally blur the rigid lines of politics, fostering brief but meaningful connections in the high-stakes arena of Indian governance.
