Cong,Trinamool see red over govt move to present full budget

Opposition Trinamool Congress and Congress said since the dates of the elections have been announced,the state government,by presenting the budget,would highlight its schemes and policies for the people which would be a violation of the model code of conduct.

While leader of the Opposition and Trinamool Congress leader Partha Chaterjee has already written to the chief electoral officer (CEO) of the state,WB Congress chief Manas Bhunia said he would also approach the CEO on the issue.

“No government can present more than five budgets and this government has presented five budgets. What the government can do is present vote-on-account,” said Subrata Mukherjee,senior Trinamool Congress leader,at a press conference on Saturday.

On the other hand,Congress questioned the role of the Speaker in this issue. “The Speaker is neutral and he should stick to his constitutional provisions. Why he is succumbing to political pressure,” said Bhunia,at Bidhan Bhavan.

Bhunia said the government is trying to derive a political mileage out of the move. It wants to spell out its policies and plans which it would not be able to do in case of the vote-on-account.

Bhunia further said as the constitutional position of the Speaker is beyond the purview of Election Commission,he said seek help of constitutional experts on this issue.