Congress demands Union Budget be tabled after state polls

New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) The Congress party on Wednesday demanded that the presentation date of the Union Budget should be postponed until after the elections to the assemblies of five states, announced by the Election Commission on Wednesday.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad wrote to the President and the Election Commission on December 14, requesting that the Union Budget, which was proposed to be presented on February 1, must be postponed till after the assembly elections.

"This was the stand of the Congress government in 2012. It comes fundamental to the issue of fascist forces who just do not want to listen to anyone," said Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar.

"Azad had written to the Election Commission and President. We are clear that the Budget has to be postponed, you can take the vote on account and have the Budget presented after the final election day is over," he added.

The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs on Tuesday recommended starting the budget session of Parliament from January 31.

The budget so far has usually been presented on the last date of February each year.

"The norm of any parliamentary democracy is if there is election, you take the vote on account and have it after the election results are out. That has been the tradition. You don't argue on it or no debate on it," Kumar added.

Shaktisinh Gohil of the Congress said: "PM Modi made announcements three days before the election dates came out. There is something called budgetary secrecy. Issues with financial implications are usually presented by the finance minister."