‘Kursi Bachao’, 'Andhra-Bihar' Budget: Trinamool Slams Centre After No Sanctions For Bengal, Telangana

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday hit out at the Centre for not mentioning any special benefits for Opposition-ruled states such as West Bengal, Telangana and Punjab. The TMC referred to the union budget as ‘Andhra-Bihar’ and ‘kursi bachao’ budget, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party attempted to keep its allies, JD(U) and TDP, happy.

Trinamool Congress put up a cryptic post on social media striking off Union Budget-2024 and writing ‘Andhra-Bihar Budget’.

TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the budget an anti-people initiative. “What about Bengal floods? This is an anti-people budget. They get votes from Darjeeling, but they did not give anything for floods.”

TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha praised the Centre’s step to reduce customs on three cancer medicines. However, he pointed out that the Opposition-ruled states did not benefit from the budget. “What has been given to Bihar, as a resident it felt good, but you have to pay for it, but it was good. Bihar needed that, and it was in demand as well. You have given for Andhra Pradesh as well, which was expected, but what have you done for Telangana, Punjab and West Bengal?”

Meanwhile, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said it was a ‘kursi bachao’ budget. “The budget was crafted for the benefit of the BJP’s allies. There was nothing for Bengal as it did not vote for BJP.”

Another TMC leader, Sushmita Dev, said, “First of all please release the funds of Bengal. Rs 1.6 lakh crores are due. Unemployment is something that the government has put under the carpet. The Finance Minister needs to address the issue very seriously. Food inflation is out of control. Price rise is a common man’s issue… How have they prepared a budget when they don’t even know how many people are there in the country? This budget is misplaced with no measure and no yardstick.”

In a series of posts on X, Dev, also flagged that the updated Census was yet to be released. She pointed out that the Union Budget was meaningless without it.

TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee took to X and wrote, “This BUDGET is a complete failure with ZERO WARRANTY, presented by a FAILED FINANCE MINISTER OF A FAILED GOVERNMENT. Instead of tackling urgent issues like unemployment, rising prices and growing inflation, the BJP has crafted a budget to bribe its coalition partners and buy time before the government IMPLODES!”

The Union Budget on Tuesday allocated substantial funds for Bihar where JD(U) is in power, including over Rs 26,000 crore for highway development and Rs 11,500 crore for flood mitigation efforts, while TDP-led Andhra Pradesh received significant financial aid, including Rs 15,000 crore for state capital’s development with ongoing commitments for future support.

Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of Union Budget 2024. Get the latest on new income tax slab rates for AY 2024-25 in Income Tax Slabs Budget 2024 LIVE Updates . Track the impact of Budget 2024 on the stock market in Stock Market Budget Day 2024 LIVE Updates. Watch Union Budget LIVE Streaming here