Budget bonanza for BJP allies in Bihar, Andhra aims to secure NDA's longevity

Union Budget promises Rs 15,000 cr for Amaravati development, Rs 60,000 cr for Bihar projects

Bigticket financial assistance announced for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday, while presenting her seventh Budget, has given a boost to the stability and longevity of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

Announcing a host of developmental projects, Sitharaman proposed a total outlay of over Rs 60,000 crore for various projects in Bihar, which is due for Assembly polls next year, and Rs 15,000 crore this fiscal for the development of Andhra Pradesh’s capital city, a dream project of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

The BJP relies on the crucial 28 MPs from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Janata Dal (United), and other smaller regional parties after it fell short of the simple majority mark of 272 MPs in the Lok Sabha during the April-May general elections.

The wishes of both key allies, TDP and JD(U), were accommodated in the proposals of the Union Budget presented in the Lok Sabha. While the BJP’s partner TDP, led by N Chandrababu Naidu, governs Andhra Pradesh, it has JD(U) led by Nitish Kumar as its ally in the Bihar government. Both Andhra Pradesh and Bihar had demanded special category status or special financial packages to meet the infrastructure requirements in their respective states.

In her proposals, Sitharaman announced Rs 15,000 crore for the development of Andhra Pradesh’s capital city this fiscal year. The development of Amaravati as the new capital of the state is a dream project of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.