File photo: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.
Shiv Sena, which appeared to be upset over induction of its erstwhile leader Suresh Prabhu into Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a few months back, today showered praise on him for presenting a "unique" Budget.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said this is for the first time that a Railway Budget was presented without any political considerations.
"Mr Prabhu has presented a unique Budget. It is a Railway Budget for the entire country and not just one state, even those which are going to polls...This heralds the beginning of 'din' for the Railways," he said.
The Shiv Sena member said without development of railways, the progress of the country was not possible.
He, however, suggested setting up of the State Railway Development Corporation in Maharashtra for rail network expansion in the state.
Mr Raut also sought saving of diesel by utilising electrified tracks and demanded that the Mumbai sub-urban zone be under one Railway zone only.
Mr Prabhu was inducted in the BJP in November last and subsequently made the Railways Minister.
Mr Prabhu's Budget was also lauded by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with its members terming it as a good one.
AV Singh Deo (BJD) said by and large the Budget is good and was happy that the Minister has not given any new railway lines and is concentrating on strengthening railways. He, however, demanded more trains for the backward KBK districts.
Gundu Sudha Rani (TDP) was also in praise for not announcing any new populist measures and railway lines.
She said the Railway Minister did not increase the charges and requested the minister for setting up a rail coach factory and wagon manufacturing factory in Telangana.