Guwahati, 16 February (HS): The Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly commenced on Monday amid a politically charged atmosphere ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for March-April. This session is the last legislative sitting of the incumbent government before the state heads to polls.

The four-day session began with the customary address by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya. In view of the impending elections, the government will not table a full-fledged annual budget during this session.

Instead, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog is slated to present a Vote-on-Account on February 17. The interim financial arrangement will enable the government to meet essential expenditures for the initial months of the new financial year until a new government assumes office and presents a complete budget.

The session carries significant political weight as it marks the final opportunity for the present government to conduct legislative business before electoral campaigning intensifies across the state’s 126 Assembly constituencies.

At present, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party holds 64 seats in the 126-member House. Its allies — Asom Gana Parishad with nine MLAs, United People's Party Liberal with seven, and Bodoland People's Front with three — together bolster the treasury benches.

On the opposition side, the Indian National Congress has 26 legislators, followed by the All India United Democratic Front with 15 members. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has one MLA in the House, along with one Independent member.

Given the proximity of the elections, sharp exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches are expected, with both sides likely to use the floor of the House to sharpen their political messaging before voters.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash