As Finance Minister P. Chidambaram revealed the Budget 2008 in the Indian Parliament yesterday, an expected lot of reactions were heard from politicians all around. Without naming names, here’s some of the key comments and a tongue-in-cheek take on what they really mean:
When they say:
It’s a populist budget, aimed at the elections
What they really mean:
Damn. It’s a good budget, and they’ve screwed our chances at the next elections!
When they say:
It’s against the people
What they really mean:
It’s against the people in our party
When they say:
It’s against the common man
What they really mean:
Damn. It will help the common man rise above the common. Hard work will actually get rewarded. And people will no longer get government sops and goodies by just shouting and protesting!
When they say:
Too little, too late.
What they really mean:
Wow. I never thought they’d do it. Now I’ll have to find another argument against them.
More later…
Note: I fully endorse this budget. I am glad there’s focus on the core of issues. I am glad that people will have more disposable income. I am glad cigarettes will be more expensive. I am glad that it is a budget for progress, even though it sounds like one for politics. After all, if I have more money in my bank, and cheaper stuff to buy on shop shelves – who am I to complain?!
