Only we can make it possible: Cong

The Congress hailed the interim budget, claiming it marked the fulfilment of the commitments made by the UPA government. “It reflects the tremendous achievement of the UPA government and we are sure the next budget will also be presented by UPA government’s finance minister,” said party spokesperson Jayanthi Natrajan.

Significantly, the party also made it a point to remind people that it was the Congress that had provided the impetus for the governments achievements.

“I have no doubt that when the time comes, our people will recognise the hand that made it possible. The hand that can alone help our nation on the road to peace and prosperity,” Pranab Mukherjee told parliament before winding up his budget speech. 

Senior Congress leaders pointed out that the interim budget was merely an accounting exercise for the next three months as mandated by law and was not meant to make any policy pronouncements. “Our promises and plans for the next five years will be contained in our manifesto,” said Prithiviraj Chauhan, AICC general secretary.

Nonetheless, the Congress party highlighted the emphasis on the aam admi, the farmers and rural and social sector, and the increased allocations to the NREGS as well as to education.

The Congress party’s political managers are reasonably confident of the achievements of the UPA government and believe that it has done enough to comeback to power.
AICC general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi sounded upbeat about UPA’s performance, even on the terrorism front.