A realistic budget; no reason for opposition to agitate

How do you respond to opposition allegations that your budget favours Congress-ruled states and constituencies like Rae Bareli?

There is no reason for the opposition or anyone to agitate against the budget. If you see,no one area has been favoured over the other. I received requests from all MPs and I am aware of their aspirations,they have legitimate concerns. However,due to resource constraints,it may not be possible to satisfy everyone.

A Congress minister is in charge but the budgetary allocation was only a couple of thousand crore rupees more than last year. Does that disappoint you?

No,I am aware of the present financial condition of the government. We had asked for a certain amount but Rs 26,000 crore has been given to us,which is what could be managed at the moment. We have various modes of financing and gross budgetary support is one of them.

How do you view the response from UPA allies and other parties,such as the Trinamool Congress,which controlled the railway ministry for long?

The Trinamool Congress has no reason to protest because Bengal has got quite a few projects like Metro works,new trains,factories etc. The BSP told me they are satisfied with the budget. Mulayam Singh ji was talking about a project which is an ongoing one. So the response has been positive.