People's budget to unlock spending

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the budget presented by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is a "force multiplier" that will result in increased savings, investment, consumption and economic growth.

- Smriti Kak Ramachandran

In a video address released after the budget was presented, Modi congratulated the finance minister for what he said was a "people's budget".

"This is the budget of the aspirations of 140 crore Indians, this is a budget that fulfils the dreams of every Indian. This is a budget which fulfils the dreams of our people. We have opened many sectors for the youth. Common citizens are going to drive the mission of Viksit Bharat. This budget will increase savings, investment, consumption, and growth," he said.

Modi sought to reset the Bharatiya Janata Party's ties with the middle class, a traditional support base for the party that was perceived by some political observers to have moved away in recent times over high taxation and inflation.