Image
EC panel seeks govt's response on Oppositions's demand to postpone Budget
New Delhi, Jan 7 (IBNS): The Election Commission has sought the government's response on opposition's demand to postpone the Union Budget presentation after Mar 8, media reports said.
Opposition parties met the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday and demanded that Budget 2017 be presented after March 8, which is the last day of voting in poll-bound five states, according to media reports.
ECI on Wednesday announced dates for the Assembly polls in five states between February 4 and March 8 stipulating a seven-phase polling for Uttar Pradesh, the biggest of all, with 403 seats.
The Union Budget is expected to be presented on Feb 4. The Railway Budget, which used to be presented prior to the General Budget so long, will be merged with the latter, from this year.
An 11-member delgation of Opposition parties, including those from the Congress, the TMC, DMK, JD (U), met the Election Commissioner on Thursday, saying that the BJP is likely to announce sops and programs to sway the voters and this will be in contravention of the model code of conduct, according to media reports.
Ghulam Nabi Azad of Congress said that BJP can adopt populist measures in the Budget, which can prevent free and fair elections in the states, media reported.
Derek O'Brien has suggested that the Budget should be presented after Mar 8 and passed before Mar 31.
According to reports, BJP has said the demand for postponement of the Budget by the Opposition is an attempt to politicalise the government's constitutional duties.
Top Headlines
-
News
Seva Teerth: PM Modi inaugurates new PMO, announces these key decisions on first day
February 13, 2026
-
News
Hero of Operation Sindoor: IAF vice chief hails Rafale ahead of mega 114-jet deal
February 11, 2026
-
News
'Govt surrendered before Trump, sold Bharat Mata: Rahul Gandhi attacks Centre over IndiaUS trade deal
February 11, 2026
-
News
Painful times in my marriage: Melinda Gates reacts to Bill Gates being named in Epstein Files
February 05, 2026
-
News
Perverse act of self-immolation: Shashi Tharoor slams Washington Post after son Ishaans layoff
February 05, 2026
-
News
Is India moving away from the Dollar? Strategic shift in foreign reserves signals a new era
February 03, 2026
-
News
This Union budget is about building capacity, not chasing short-term consumption
February 02, 2026
-
News
AI will replace surgeons, coders and billions of jobs, warns Sraddhalu Ranade at MCHD-SKC Memorial Lecture
February 01, 2026
-
News
Sheikh Hasina attacks Muhammad Yunus from first public address in Delhi, urges uprising in Bangladesh
January 23, 2026
-
News
Top Maoist leader with 2 crore bounty among 16 eliminated in major Jharkhand encounter
January 23, 2026
