Gogoi's budget Congress manifesto: Opposition

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Feb 1: Dubbing Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's interim budget as an "election manifesto", Opposition parties said it was of little importance as a new government will present a full-fledged budget after the elections due in April-May.

AGP MLA Phani Bhusan Choudhury said Gogoi presented the interim budget with an eye to the elections.

"We have seen in the past majority of the budget announcements not being implemented. So we do not expect much this time either. The Chief Minister has incorporated old schemes with new mes in the budget," he said.

BJP's Ranjit Das termed it a budget of a "terrified" government. "There are small sops, but no roadmap for addressing the key problems facing the State," he said. "The Congress government has done nothing in the last fifteen years. What can anyone expect from it in one month's time?" the BJP said in a statement later.

AIUDF's Rafiqul Islam said the budget is aimed at creating beneficiaries ahead of the assembly elections.

"The CM is talking about pension for employees like home guards and ASHA workers who do not even have regular jobs," he ridiculed.

BPF's Pramila Rani Brahma also said the budget was irrelevant as "the announcements would remain only on paper."