Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav commented on Thursday that politics heavily influences the budget, suggesting that Andhra Pradesh and Bihar would not have received special packages if it weren’t for political motivations. Discussing the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Yadav remarked, “Politics and budget are interrelated. Had it not been for politics, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar wouldn’t have been given special packages.”
She argued that Uttar Pradesh, which has consistently supported the BJP with numerous seats, deserved a special package from the central government. “UP has consecutively given so many seats to the BJP. Never in history has any single party won so many seats from UP. UP should have been given a special package from the centre’s funds,” Yadav said.
In her Budget address, Sitharaman outlined significant investments for Bihar, including a new industrial node at Gaya and various road projects, with a total cost of Rs 26,000 crore. She also mentioned power projects and infrastructure developments in Bihar, including an allocation of Rs 11,500 crore for flood control measures.
Andhra Pradesh also saw financial support in the Budget, with Sitharaman noting, “Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act: Our government has made efforts to fulfil the commitments in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. Recognising the state’s need for capital, we will facilitate special financial support through multilateral agencies,” adding that Rs 15,000 crore would be arranged in the current fiscal year with additional funds in future years.
On Wednesday, opposition INDIA bloc MPs protested the Union Budget in Parliament, with slogans like “Opposition virodhi kursi bachao Budget murda baad,” criticizing the Budget as “discriminatory.” Notable figures in the protest included Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.