Led by the JD(U), NDA MPs from Bihar on Monday slammed the Budget and staged a walk-out from the Lok Sabha alleging that step-motherly treatment had been meted out to their state. Their archrival, and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, also raised the issue of Bihar’s neglect but termed the Budget as a “balanced” one.

A race to outsmart each other was seen among the political rivals. Lalu was the first to intervene during Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s Budget speech to raise the issue of a financial package for Kosi victims and a special financial package for Bihar. “Budget has no provision for financial package for Kosi flood nor special financial package for the state,” Lalu declared, only to be shouted down from the treasury benches with the remark, “This is a Budget for the country, not for Bihar.” Lalu retreated quietly, having fulfilled his aim of raising the issue before his political rivals.

NDA MPs from Bihar remained silent through the Budget speech, but were on their feet the moment Mukherjee concluded his speech. JD(U) president Sharad Yadav said the Budget was biased against Bihar. Thereafter, the NDA MPs staged a walk-out.

Lalu, meanwhile, was seen walking up to Mukherjee after his Budget speech to congratulate him. Outside the House, he lauded Mukherjee for doing his best to present a “balanced Budget”.

In Patna, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar termed the Budget “disappointing”. He said: “I will take up Bihar’s cause with the Centre. I have nothing against the Budget announcing a special package for cyclone-hit people in Bengal. But the Kosi rehabilitation package was not discussed at all,” he added.

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