February 1 could see a full Budget being announced by interim finance minister Piyush Goyal, Times Now quoting top government sources claimed on Wednesday.

There is a buzz in the BJP party circles that the government should not hold itself back in announcing sops for farmers, the rural sector and the middle class in this budget.

The Vote on Account is only for three months before the new government presents a full-fledged budget in July. Though some governments have used the Vote on Account to make big ticket announcements, it has not always worked for the ruling party in retaining power.

“Any budget means a full-fledged budget. The budget to be presented on Feb 1 is expected to be similar to a regular budget,” a senior BJP leader had told ET in an earlier report.

The BJP is trying to win back its core vote base of traders and upper caste while continuing to woo the Dalits, OBCs and the tribals.

The main opposition, Congress, has cautioned the government against deviating from the norm of a Vote on Account sticking only to provisions for the next three months. BJP leaders maintain previous Congress governments have themselves breached this convention and have no right to preach them .

Though the party has reportedly given suggestions for announcing sops for farmers, its contours will be decided by the Narendra Modi government. BJP is not in favour of any loan waiver despite political pressure in the wake of a similar move by Congress in the recent Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh that contributed to its victory.

But relief for farmers through other sops are likely to be announced. BJP has been facing the wrath of farmers as they have not got the right price for their farm produce. The increase in MSP to one and a half times the cost of production announced in the last budget has not been implemented effectively. BJP has performed badly in the rural constituencies in the recent Assembly elections.

Source : PTI