Earlier, the RJD and SP had criticised the Railways and General Budget despite their support to the government. Mulayam had called the Budget “pro-corporate” and anti-farmer.

While Lalu extended his support to the Budget, he hinted that the government should be ready for “criticism” from his side. “This the first Budget. I am extending my support. But, I will also criticise (your government) sometime later. There should be some healthy criticism,” said Lalu, summing up his speech.

With the RJD tally dipping from 24 to four in the current Lok Sabha, Lalu also brought up issues with an eye on his support base, asking the government to look into demands for extending reservation to Pasmanda Muslims, as suggested in the Ranganath Mishra committee report.

He urged the Finance Minister to prepare for drought while advising him to address price rise and job losses due to the economic slowdown.

With the JD(U) making it an issue, Lalu also demanded help for Bihar in Kosi relief as well as a special status for the state.

Earlier, initiating the discussion on the Budget, BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi extended a warm hand to the government to partner it in bringing the country back to 9 per cent growth. “You have set a 9 per cent economic growth target and a 4 per cent growth target for agriculture. It is ambitious. If you ensure this, it will be a miracle,” Joshi said. “If you need any assistance to bring the economy on the right track for helping farmers and restoring the position of agriculture to where it was, we are ready to help.”

... contd.