New Delhi, Feb. 1: BJP leaders today appeared disappointed with what they called a futuristic budget that had nothing substantial to sell to voters in Uttar Pradesh and four other election-bound states, betraying fears of losing the edge in the crucial heartland. "Apart from the income tax relief to the middle class, there is hardly anything concrete to sell among voters who were expecting a lot from the budget. The Opposition will steal a march over us in the perception battle," said a BJP MP from east Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand vote over the coming five weeks to elect new governments. For the record, BJP chief Amit Shah congratulated both Modi and Jaitley for presenting a "pro-poor, pro-farmer and pro-middle class budget".

Source: The Telegraph February 01, 2017 22:18 UTC