Feb 1 union budget will benefit BJP, opposition parties write to Prez, CEC

New Delhi: The opposition parties led by Congress welcomed the declaration of election dates of five states. But, before the face-off in the elections, sixteen opposition parties, including Congress, are set to take on Bharatiya Janata Party government.

They have written to President Pranab Mukherjee and Chief Election Commissioner, saying, the advance in budget could influence assembly elections in the favour of saffron party.

Meanwhile, the budget session, which begins in the third week of February, would begin from January 31, decided Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) on Wednesday.

The opposition parties shot off a letter earlier this week questioning BJP’s intent. Parties said if budget session gets advanced, then it will act as hindrance in free and fair elections.

The letter was signed by several party leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Sitaram Yechury (CPI(M), Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) and Sharad Yadav {JD(U)}.