Mamata protests against scheduled union budget day

Expressing her opposition to the presentation of the union budget on February 1, the day of Saraswati Puja, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday called for celebrating the festival "in a big way" instead of the budget presentation.

"Feb 1 is Saraswati Pujo. This special day for the goddess of learning is a big day celebrated in schools, colleges, homes, clubs," Banerjee said in a tweet.

Pointing out that the goddess of learning was worshipped in every school, college, university and home, Banerjee said the day was also a state government holiday.

"Why don't we celebrate Saraswati Pujo in a big way instead of presenting Union Budget on Feb 1. Do Saraswati bandana & not YOUR bandana?" she said.

Several opposition parties, including the Congress and TMC had earlier moved the Election Commission against presentation of the Budget on February 1, only days before the polls to the five state assemblies begin on February 4. Goa and Punjab will go to the hustings on that day.

--IANS

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