Today in Politics: PM Modi chief guest at Mauritius national day celebrations; Budget session in Telangana to begin | Political Pulse News

India is among the largest trading partners of Mauritius, which has an estimated 70% Indian-origin population. Ahead of his first visit to Mauritius since 2015, India on Saturday said it supports the island nation in its efforts to reach a mutually beneficial deal with the UK over the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, which is the subject of a sovereignty dispute. The issue is expected to figure in Modi’s talks with Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.

Budget session in Telangana Assembly

The Budget session of the Telangana Assembly will begin on Wednesday amid a sharp war of words between the ruling Congress and the Opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and BJP over a host of issues. The session will commence with an address by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma. The agenda and duration of the session will be decided in a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC).

The Budget is likely to be presented on March 19, sources said.

The government is expected to introduce legislation on SC sub-categorisation and increase reservations for Backward Classes from 23% to 42%. At a meeting on March 6, the state Cabinet approved a draft Bill to increase quotas for backward classes, fulfilling an election promise of the Congress.

The session is also expected to witness heated debates on various issues. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has accused Union Minister and state BJP president G Kishan Reddy of creating hurdles in securing approvals and funds from the Centre for several state government projects, including the expansion of Hyderabad Metro Rail, Musi River redevelopment, and the Regional Ring Road (RRR) in the city. Kishan Reddy, however, dismissed the allegations.

Adopting an aggressive stance, the main opposition BRS has attacked the Congress government for alleged failures on multiple fronts. Meanwhile, Congress leaders on Tuesday urged Assembly Speaker G Prasad Kumar to withdraw the salary of BRS chief and former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao as he has not been attending Assembly sessions.

YSRCP protest to highlight Andhra govt’s “failures”

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has called for protests across Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday to highlight the NDA state government’s failures in addressing the problems of the youth and students.

YSRCP State Coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy on Sunday held a video conference with regional coordinators and district Presidents on the “Yuvatha Poru” (youth struggle) programme.

The programme, led by YSRCP president and former CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy aims to pressure the coalition government, accused of deceiving lakhs of students and youth. It coincides with formation day celebrations of the YSRCP.

President Murmu in Punjab

President Droupadi Murmu is in Chandigarh for a three-day visit to Punjab and the Union Territory. After attending several university events, the President will on Wednesday attend the convocation ceremony of Panjab University at Chandigarh.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Haryana, the results of the local body elections will be announced on Wednesday. Polling was held on Sunday to elect the mayor and 26 councillors for the Panipat Municipal Corporation, while polls to elect mayors and ward members in seven municipal corporations were held on March 2, including in Gurugram, Manesar, Faridabad, Hisar, Rohtak, Karnal and Yamunanagar.

– With PTI inputs