Govt is 'bribing' voters, alleges Cong; dubs budget 'election manifesto'

Dubbing the budget by the Modi government as an "election manifesto", the Congress on Friday accused it of "bribing" voters ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in its "full-fledged budget" instead of an interim one.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also alleged the government has destroyed the lives of farmers over the past five years, and now by announcing "Rs 17 a day" for them in the budget, they have insulted them for everything they stand and work for.

However, leaders of the BJP-led NDA lavished praise on the budget and expressed hope that its sops for the middle class, farmers and small industries will boost their electoral prospects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it benefits every section of society and will boost growth.

While former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dubbed the budget as an "election budget", Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge termed it as BJP's "election manifesto".

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Kharge said: "This is all being done for elections. I directly charge them of paying bribe to voters."