Uncertainty over Budget presentation on Feb 1

Uncertainty looms large on the proposed Budget presentation on February 1 with the Opposition parties protesting the date, which is closer to the Assembly elections in five states, and the Election Commission seeking to review the representation of those parties.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, however, said the government cannot be put at a standstill because of elections in some states. “Even in 2014, the Budget was presented before the polls,” Jaitley told reporters. “These are the same parties which earlier said demonetisation was not popular with the people... Then why are they troubled with the Budget,” he quipped.
 
The government has advanced the Union Budget to February 1, instead of the usual date of February 28.

The Election Commission on Wednesday announced polls in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, beginning February 4.

Petition to President
The Opposition parties have complained and as many as 16 of them have written to President Pranab Mukherjee that by advancing the Budget, the government may use the opportunity to influence voters in these states.