Relief for middle class in poll season

The Union Budget's tax breaks for the middle class were given with an eye on upcoming assembly elections in Delhi and Bihar, and were an overture to a demographic that used to be a loyal vote bank of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but whose lukewarm response contributed to the party's sub-par performance in the 2024 general elections, said leaders aware of discussions.

- Smriti Kak Ramachandran

Smriti Kak Ramachandran [e-mail] NEW DELHI:

The BJP shrank from 303 seats in the Lok Sabha in 2019 to 240 in 2024, and needed support from its allies to form the government for a third consecutive time.

A senior party functionary said the BJP's electoral setbacks were "largely" on account of the Opposition's "false campaign" around the Constitution but also "partly" because of the middle classes staying away.

"Voter apathy was partly attributed to the anger among the salaried classes who complained of less money in hand...But under the leadership of PM Modi, the government has addressed this concern, proving that the party has its ears to the ground," the functionary said, requesting anonymity.

The government announced a clutch of infrastructure and employment generation schemes for Bihar months ahead of assembly polls scheduled for later this year.

The BJP runs a coalition government in Bihar with its key ally, the Janata Dal (United), whose support is crucial at the Centre as well.