The Congress on Monday criticized President Pranab Mukherjee's address to the joint session of the Parliament, alleging that the speech had merely repeated the policies which had been undertaken when the United Progressive Alliance-II was in power.
"Where is the 'sabka saath, sabka vikas'? They have taken everybody's support but are working on the development only of industries and corporate. They are making a law to take away the farmer's land," Congress leader and former union minister Mallikarjun Kharge told the media here.
"What they are saying about skill development was already started by the UPA Government. The speeches they used to give in rallies, they printed and asked the President to repeat in the Parliament," he added.
Congress leader P.L. Punia also echoed similar sentiments, saying President Mukherjee's speech had not revealed the government's ideology.
"There is nothing new in the President's speech and it did not reveal the ideology of the government. The speech merely repeated the policies which had been undertaken by the UPA Government," he said.
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However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed President Mukherjee's speech, calling for the address to be reflected upon.
"The President's speech should be understood and reflected upon. The speech was very important because it touched upon all those topics that are essential for the development of the nation. When he talked of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas', he talked of making India great," Union Minister for Mines and BJP leader Narendra Singh Tomar told ANI.
"The President talked of poverty, industries, employment, skill development, the empowerment of women among other things. His speech is very welcome," he added.
Earlier in the day, President Mukherjee addressed both Houses of the Parliament ahead of the Budget Session.
The first part of the Budget Session will continue till March 20 while the second part will commence after a month-long break from April 20 and conclude on May 8.
The Rail Budget will be presented on February 26, Economic Survey on February 27 and General Budget on February 28.
