Cong’s women wing protests MP Budget

A day after the Dr Mohan Yadav-led BJP government in Madhya Pradesh presented its 2026-27 budget, terming it ‘women-centric’, the women’s wing of the opposition Congress staged a protest outside the official residence of State Finance Minister Jagdish Devda in Bhopal on Thursday.

The protesters alleged that, in reality, the budget offered no relief or even respite to women from the rising prices of essential commodities.

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Led by Madhya Pradesh Mahila Congress chief Reena Borasi Setia, the protesters marched to gherao the residence of Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Jagdish Devda, accusing the Mohan Yadav-led government of presenting a “hollow” budget that ignored the needs of women and common citizens. The protesters raised slogans against the government and criticised the budget for not addressing inflation-related concerns.

During the demonstration, the Mahila Congress workers also burnt an effigy of the Finance Minister. There was a brief scuffle with police personnel, too.

In a symbolic display of their protest, the women placed a scooter and a cooking gas cylinder on a handcart, highlighting the rising cost of essential commodities. The protesters said the budget had failed to offer any meaningful relief to women struggling with inflation and accused the government of betraying the people of Madhya Pradesh.

While presenting the budget in the State Assembly on Wednesday, Jagdish Devda emphasised in his budget speech that the budget is women-centric, and an allocation of Rs 1,27,555 crore has been made for various women’s welfare schemes.