Finance Minister Sitharaman's eighth consecutive budget presentation dominated morning coverage with the announcement of income tax exemption up to Rs 12 lakhs under the new regime, affecting approximately 1 crore taxpayers. The focus on Bihar development in her 77-minute speech, mentioned nine times, signals electoral considerations.
By afternoon, attention shifted to Delhi politics as eight AAP MLAs who resigned yesterday joined BJP, intensifying pre-election tensions. Home Minister Shah's subsequent rally promised to "clean Delhi with AAP's own broom."
Evening coverage returned to budget analysis, with opposition leader Chidambaram calling it "beyond government capacity." Markets showed tepid response to tax reforms. The day's coverage notably overshadowed ongoing Mahakumbh management concerns following recent stampedes, though CM Yogi visited hospitals to meet victims.