EC panel seeks govt's response on Oppositions's demand to postpone Budget

Opposition parties met the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday and demanded that Budget 2017 be presented after March 8, which is the last day of voting in poll-bound five states, according to media reports.

ECI on Wednesday announced dates for the Assembly polls in five states between February 4 and March 8 stipulating a seven-phase polling for Uttar Pradesh, the biggest of all, with 403 seats.

The Union Budget is expected to be presented on Feb 4. The Railway Budget, which used to be presented prior to the General Budget so long, will be merged with the latter, from this year.

An 11-member delgation of Opposition parties, including those from the Congress, the TMC, DMK, JD (U), met the Election Commissioner on Thursday, saying that the BJP is likely to announce sops and programs to sway the voters and this will be in contravention of the model code of conduct, according to media reports.

Ghulam Nabi Azad of Congress said that BJP can adopt populist measures in the Budget, which can prevent free and fair elections in the states, media reported.

Derek O'Brien has suggested that the Budget should be presented after Mar 8 and passed before Mar 31.

According to reports, BJP has said the demand for postponement of the Budget by the Opposition is an attempt to politicalise the government's constitutional duties.