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"Mamata Banerjee`s rail budget is like an election manifesto. The entire focus is on West Bengal, and the rest of India has been totally neglected," BJP General Secretary Ananth Kumar told reporters here.
Kumar said the railway budget should be scientifically formulated and should give credence to the regional balance and development of infratructure all over the country.
CPI National Secretary D Raja said despite certain populist announcements, the Budget does not have anything spectacular.
"It seems to be more ambitious than reality. Nobody is happy with the Budget. She has not announced any provisions for ongoing projects," Raja said.
The Congress hailed the Railway Budget saying it shows "concern and sensitivity" towards the common man and expressed happiness over no hike in fare.
"The most significant aspect of the budget is that she (Mamata Banerjee) has not increased any fair. She has shown her great concern and sensitivity towards the needs for the common man to which the UPA government is totally committed," party spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters.
He also congratulated the Railway Minister for her "frank" admission of the challenges before the ministry due to implementation of 12th Pay Commission recommendations and the assertion that Railways have come out of its difficulties and is on development path.
Asked how the no hike in fares could be justified when it leads to over-all losses, Tewari said, "Railways are the main medium of transportation for the common man it is not proper to expect only profit earnings by it".
CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu claimed that the budget showed that the finances of Railways were in a very bad shape.
"It is very clear that the Railway finances are in a very bad shape. There is a drop in freight movement," Basu said.
Congress leader Rajiv Shukla said the budget was for the common man who has been given many facilities without any additional burden.
"A lot many schemes have been announced. One myth has been demolished that Railways are incurring losses. It is not true. There is no decline in revenue," he said.
