Union Budget 2013 | Reactions of Political Leaders & Others

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram tried to woo Indians with his 8th Union Budget which he presented on Thursday, Feb 28. While presenting the Union Budget 2013-14, the finance minister emphasised on the need for 'inclusive growth'. According to Chidambaram, it will focus on higher growth and financial inclusion.

Just like Bollywood movies and cricket, almost everyone has an opinion on Union Budget and has become a critic of it. Never before in the history of India have so many people understood the meaning of "fiscal deficit". We also tried to catch reactions of some of the stakeholders as to what do they feel about the Union Budget.

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Reactions of Political Leaders

PM Manmohan Singh

"We need to create 10 million jobs a year for the duration of the 12th Plan which can be achieved only if we reach eight percent GDP growth level. Chidambaram has laid out a roadmap with regard to investments"

President Pranab Mukherjee

"I did not listen to P Chidambaram as I was feeling nostalgic".

Ram Gopal Yadav, SP leader

"There is decline in prices of imported shoes only. No relief to any class...Now 1 per cent tax has been imposed on flats too."

Gurudas Dasgupta, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader

"It is a "lollypop" offered by the government. It was a budget of deceit."

Sitaram Yechury, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader

"In this budget, the way he (Chidambaram) managed is by presuming. He has presumed that taxes will grow up. These are unrealisable. In the first nine months of the last year the central excise collection fell by 16 per cent. From where is he going to get an increase in the tax revenues?"

Mayawati, BSP supremo

"There is nothing important in this budget...All announcements related to poor and Dalits look to be in air."

Mulayam Singh Yadav, SP chief

"Though the budget is not good and is anti-poor but we support it to keep communal forces away from power."

Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal MP

"I would give only two marks to the budget out of 10."

Shatrughan Sinha, Actor-turned-MP

"It is a lollypop budget, a trap of numbers."

Nitish Kumar, Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U leader

"Fight for special status is in its final stage. I am raising my voice for other backward states also...Money allocated for food security should be increased. Funds for Nalanda International University is a welcome step."

Balbir Punj, Senior BJP leader

"Disappointing budget...It is purely an accountant work. Primary objective of budget is to be able to ignite the economy...The size of the cake is getting smaller and smaller."

Sharad Yadav, Janata Dal-United leader

"It is a very disappointing budget. The inflation would continue and the middle class would continue to suffer. There is no relief. I think the schemes should have been consolidated."

Murli Manohar Joshi, Veteran BJP leader

"it was an accountant budget, not a finance minister's budget."

Sushma Swaraj, BJP leader

"We were expecting agriculture and infrastructure based budget, but we are disappointed. They have not given anything...The finance minister could not see the face of the farmer and common man. This was an unimaginative, dull and boring budget. The expectations were that it will bring some hope to the country it has not happened. Common man was not even mentioned in the budget."

Arun Jaitley, BJP leader

"This has very little to offer. Specially to the sectors which needed some help. First they put economy in distress then they come with some cosmetic changes. This is juglary."

Yashwant Sinha, Former finance minister

"This budget is cleverly drafted."

RPN Singh, Minister of State for Home

"Chidambaram has done a tight rope walk, but has managed well."

Shiv Sena Spokesman

"It is a pro North Indian Budget".

Home Minister Shusil Kumar Shinde

"I knew this type of budget will come but when it will come I did not know".

Arvind Kejriwaal

"I will expose the budget".

Kapil Sibal

"Just like 2G scam, it is a zero loss budget".

Congress spokesperson

"Thanks to Shri Rajeev Gandhi for the wonderful union budget".

BJP spokesperson

"We are planning to hold an internal debate between our PM candidates and will then react".

Mamta Banerje

"I demand complete rollback of Union Budget".

Rahul Gandhi

"It is a game changer".

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Other Reactions to Union Budget 2013

The budget is 90% idiot ~ Justice Katju There is nothing in Union Budget for Marathi Manoos ~ MNS spokesperson Beautiful Budget. Kiss to Chidu ~ KRK It is a corrupt budget. It will not help in bringing back black money ~ Baba Ramdev It is not good for middle class. I wished P Chidambaram has seen my shopping list ~ A middle class wife The Union Budget is a blow to Modi ~ NTDV news anchor I don't care; I have a boyfriend ~ a girl recently proposed by a boy on Valentine's day. Fundamentals of budget are strong. In long term stock market will give good returns ~ An Indian stock market analyst

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Read: Union Budget 2013 - Overview

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