The family of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was present on the spot to give him moral support Thursday as he read out his maiden budget speech in the Lok Sabha.
Jaitley’s wife Sangeeta and daughter Sonali were sitting in the front row of the visitors’ gallery and listening intently to his speech.
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Jairam Ramesh also in visitors’ gallery
A host of Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress leaders, including former ministers like Jairam Ramesh and Ashwini Kumar, were present in the visitors’ gallery in the Lok Sabha to listen to the budget.
Jairam Ramesh, a former rural development minister, was seen keenly taking down notes when the finance minister announced schemes and allocation for the ministry.
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Rahul Gandhi sits in front row
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who was caught napping in the Lok Sabha Wednesday, was Thursday seen sitting in the front row with his mother, Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi, who usually sits in the back rows, was, in fact, keenly jotting down notes when Jaitley was giving his speech.
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MPs concerned about Jaitley’s health
There were quite a few concerned members who rushed to the finance minister’s side when he expressed a desire to take a break while reading his budget speech.
While most people were from the ruling BJP, Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia was among those from the opposition benches who rushed to help Jaitley.
Scindia spoke first to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then to Jaitely to inquire about the matter.
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Modi first to congratulate Jaitley
As soon as the budget speech was over and the house was adjourned, Modi was one of the first to congratulate Jaitley.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi was on the other hand seen keenly discussing something with Rahul Gandhi, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Deepinder Hooda.
(IANS)