Union Budget 2015 reactions: BJP lauds Jaitley`s `clear vision`, Congress terms it `dhanwapsi` to corporates

New Delhi: While the principal Opposition party Congress on Saturday described the Union Budget 2015 presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as "hollow and
plain", Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded calling it a 'progressive, positive, practical, pragmatic and prudent' one.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

​Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a 'Budget with a clear vision.' He tweeted that the Budget 2015 had a distinct focus on farmers, youth, poor, neo-middle class and the 'Aam Nagrik'. "It delivers on growth, equity & job creation," he said and added that the Budget was 'progressive, positive, practical, pragmatic and prudent.' 

Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress

The Congress party said that the Budget did not focus on the common man's aspirations. "It is just a vision document, a Budget in interest of corporates and industrialists," said Mallikarjun Kharge.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh

Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh called the Budget an important step in the direction of building modern India. "It will play an important role in the formation of modern India," he said and added, "It will help eliminate poverty and unemployment"."

Jay Panda, BJD

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) called it a "big bang budget" in terms of country and the economy. Jay Panda however was not satisfied as no special package was announced for Odisha. " In my home state there will be disappointment, because neighboring areas have got special packages and we too needed it," Panda said.

Nitish Kumar, JD(U)

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that he had requested the Finance Minister to not end BRGF funds and he thanked Jaitley for his announcement. "Provisions of Bihar reorganisation will not be affected," Nitish added.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP

Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology - Ravi Shankar Prasad said that due to Budget the middle class would be encouraged to invest more and earn better returns. "It is better than mere tax exemptions. There is incentive on domestic manufacturing of mobile phones in India. It'll create great employment opportunity for young India.," he said, and added, "Change in intentions of government to take speedy decisions with transparancey and fairness is the biggest reform under this government."  

Amit Shah, BJP

BJP President Amit Shah congratulated the Prime Minister and Finance Minister for the Budget and said it would provide social security to all. "I welcome announcement of strict law enforcement on black money. It will help in identifying black money stashed abroad," said Shah and added, "Overall the Budget will help in poverty elimination, provide social security to people and help in development of nation."

Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party

Mulayam Singh Yadav, former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh lamented that the increase in custom excise and service tax will lead to inflation. "The Budget has disappointed people of UP," he added.

Yashwant Sinha, BJP

Former union finance minister Yashwant Sinha said that Arun Jaitley has addressed issues of all sections of society. "A lot of stress has been laid on investment in infrastructure, and if infrastructure moves forward, the economy will move forward," said Sinha, and added, "FM said he will not be able to bring down fiscal deficit for 3 years. He has been realistic."

Ahmed Patel, Congress

Congress'Ahmed Patel said the Budget failed to deliver on expectations. "Hype (around the Budget) had created lots of hope. But outcome is disappointing," Patel said.

Rajiv Pratap Rudy, BJP

Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that Finance Minister through his Budget has arrived at a point where he can address growth keeping the next 5 years in mind. "It is very important to first discuss the challenges faced by this budget. Challenges were to address issues of poor and infrastructure, all this must club with ratio of fiscal deficit and growth," he said, and added, "The Finance Minister has been able to come to a point where he can address growth keeping the next 5 years in mind. The 14th Finance Commission would recommend 1 or 2%, but this time financial devolution to the states has been raised from 32% to 42%."

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

"Jaitley ji has done an extremely good job, I give him 9.5 out of 10," says Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Kamal Nath, Congress

Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Kamal Nath criticised the Union Budget saying it has only been a budget of commissions, committees and promises.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar

​Union Minister Prakash Javadekar lauded the Union Budget by calling it a "historical" one. "It has given social security to all. It is of the poor, for the poor," he added.

Anandiben Patel, BJP

The Chief Minister of Gujarat said she felt that the Budget tendered to the needs of common man. Anandiben Patel tweeted, "New proposals will accelerate pace of development putting India on higher growth trajectory."

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

"This is the first time in the Indian history that the Finance Minister has given highest priority to infrastructure," said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari as he appreciated Arun Jaitley's Budget speech. "Investment in infrastructure will boost employment opportunities, given priority to rural development and agriculture," added Gadkari.

PC Chacko, Congress

PC Chacko of the Congress expressed his disappointment at the Budget saying that the government didn't do much despite having enough money. "They could have provided so many things," says Chacko.

BSP supremo Mayawati

Former Uttar Pradesh chief Minister Mayawati called it an anti-poor Budget. "This is not a practical budget, not as per the aspirations of poor and common man of nation," she said.

Ashwani Kumar, Congress

Former Law Minister Ashwani Kumar trashed the Union Budget saying it was nothing more than 'jugglery of words'. "For middle class people and low income groups, there has been no relief," he added.

Omar Abdullah, National Conference

The Budget speech by Arun Jaitley elicited a mixed response from former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah. He said, "If Kashmir is to get the AIIMS rather than a greenfield project I hope the money is pumped in to SKIMS to raise it to global standards. Bricks and mortar don't make AIIMS and IIMs. In fact quite the opposite, they dilute the brand equity of the original institution."

Supriya Sule, NCP

The NCP criticized the Budget and said it was disappointed by the NDA government's Finance Minister. "They could have done much more," said Supriya Sule.

Union Minister Smriti Irani

HRD Minister Smriti Irani called Jaitley's Budget a 'pragmatic' one. "It gives lot of thrust on infrastructure, skill India, innovation, girl’s education," she said. "'Nayi manzil' sounds very interesting. 'Atal yojana' program needs to be celebrated across country," she added.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu

BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu hoped that the pro-'Aam Janta' Budget would elicit a positive response from the common man and said, "(It is) very innovative, very inspiring. People will be very happy (with it)."

Ambika Soni, Congress

Ambika Soni accused the Modi governement of working only for the benefit of business houses, and said, "They continue to please and work for benefit of businessmen and corporate houses."

Shashi Tharoor, Congress

Former union minister and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor felt that the poor were completely ignored by the Finance Minister and the Budget leaned towards being corporate-friendly. The good news for Kerala he said was that the National Institute for Speech and Hearing would be upgraded to University for Disability Studies.

Rajyavardhan Rathore, BJP

Minister of State for I&B Rajyavardhan Rathore said that the Budget would provide a major fillip to national development and take 'along the young and old together'. He also tweeted that the One Rank One Pension (OROP) is in approval for implementing stage.

RM @manoharparrikar has approved Rs8300Cr for OROP to finance as per last year budget.OROP is now in approval fr implementing stage @adgpi

Shahnawaz Hussain, BJP

BJP's Shahnawaz Hussain called it a balanced Budget that would take care of both short-term and long-term goals of the nation.

Jitendra Singh, BJP

The Minister of State in PMO said that the Budget was 'positive, constructive and a practical' one.

Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister

Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan called it a professional Budget that was 'in-depth and far-sighted'.

Deepender Hooda, Congress

Congress' Deepender Hooda called it a mix budget. He admitted that there were positive initiatives but said historic cuts in corporate taxes have been given.

Chirag Paswan, LJP

Chirag Paswan of the LJP was buoyant that eventually the cuts in corporate taxes would create job opportunities in the nation.

Sushmita Dev, Congress

There was a need to look into how Nirbhaya fund was going to be spent, said Sushmita Dev of the Congress and said sje wondered what had happened to the last one.

Manish Tewari, Congress

Former union minister Manish Tewari succinctly termed it as a Budget that was high in intent, but low on delivery.  

Kiran Bedi, BJP

Delhi BJP leader Kiran Bedi lauded the Budget for being an 'inclusive' one that would take steps in the right direction towards eradicating corruption and providing for the poor.