Budget an attempt to influence middle class, says Alathur MP K. Radhakrishnan

K. Radhakrishnan, MP, has described the budget as disappointing and discriminatory. He said the budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman neglected the vast majority of Indians. “This is a budget for a small section,” he said.

Mr. Radhakrishnan said that the budget did not propose anything to address the problem of unemployment or to improve the basic needs of the vast majority of the population.

He said that the budget was an attempt to influence the middle class, which comprises a small section of the population. “The budget did not propose anything to address the woes of the farmers,” he said.

The budget underscored the feeling that the Centre would continue to ignore Kerala and its demands, he said. “All the MPs from Kerala, except BJP’s Suresh Gopi, had repeatedly asked for a special package for the State. But the budget has totally ignored that genuine demand,” said Mr. Radhakrishnan.

The Alathur MP said that the budget also ignored Wayanad, Vizhinjam port as well as the growing issue of man-animal conflict. “The budget turned a blind eye on the farming sector of Alathur. Our demands like agriculture package, tourism circuit, and village tourism were ignored,” he said.

Mr. Radhakrishnan blamed the Centre for being partisan towards Bihar with an eye on the State election. “Bihar found a mention in the budget speech six times. Similarly, the middle class is pampered with an eye on the Delhi elections,” he said.

“There is nothing in the budget either to end inequality or to alleviate poverty or to address issues like unemployment and price rice. I protest against the budget for ignoring SC/ST communities,” he said.