As usual, the budget has made a big announcement for Bihar, where assembly elections are due next year. Populism can be fiercely competitive when it comes to poll-oriented freebies because all parties indulge in this culture of giving away what is taken by way of taxes from the rich and the middle classes. Bihar receives significant attention in Nirmala Sitharaman’s 8th Union Budget, with substantial investments in agriculture, infrastructure, education, and regional connectivity. Sadly, the FM did not even mention the names of other states which are in dire need of funds. The Opposition parties have also voiced their disagreement with the step-motherly treatment meted out to non-BJP states. It hardly needs to be reminded that the present dispensation has been voted in thrice basically with a northern bias. This is, however, good politics given the weakness of JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar to jump ship midstream a few times. Keeping the flock together is sacred coalition dharma and this is what is being upheld in this extreme liking for Bihar in two successive Budgets, foregoing the PM’s oft-quoted slogan, “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas”,
