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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026. No major announcements were made in this budget for the election-bound states, but these states have been included in many important development schemes. This year, assembly elections are to be held in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.

There are some special things for these states in the budget, like rare earth corridor, high-speed rail network, freight corridor and tourism projects. These schemes will help in development, employment and strengthening the economy of these states. For example, there are many infrastructure projects for West Bengal. A new dedicated freight corridor will be built from Dankuni (West Bengal) to Surat (Gujarat). This will reduce the logistics costs of the industries in Eastern India and transportation of goods will be easier and environment friendly.

Part of Purvodaya Vision

Another big announcement is the Integrated East Coast Industrial Corridor, in which Durgapur will be made a well-connected industrial node. This is part of the ‘Purvodaya’ vision, which will promote industry in Eastern India. For tourism, 5 new tourism destinations will be created in ‘Purvodaya’ states, which includes West Bengal. There will also be provision for 4,000 electric buses.

For rail connectivity, one of the 7 high-speed rail corridors will be from Varanasi to Siliguri (North Bengal). This will reduce travel time and strengthen North Bengal’s connectivity with the rest of the country. But West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the budget as ‘directionless and visionless’. He said that there is nothing for the common man and Bengal.

Rail link in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu gets high-speed rail link to Chennai. Hyderabad-Chennai and Chennai-Bengaluru are also among the 7 high-speed rail corridors. An ecologically sustainable mountain trail will be built in Podhigai Malai (Western Ghats). Bird watching trail will also be built on the banks of Pulicat Lake, which will cover both Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Tamil Nadu is included in the Rare Earth Corridor, which will promote mining, processing and manufacturing. The Adichanallur archaeological site will be developed into an experiential cultural destination with walkways, interpretation centers and guides. Temples and pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu will also benefit from these schemes.

Kerala Rare Earth Corridor

Kerala included in Rare Earth Corridor and ‘Turtle Trails’. Turtle trails will be built on turtle nesting sites in coastal areas, which will promote conservation and eco-tourism.

But Kerala did not get much. High-speed rail is not included, while neighboring states Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana are.

The LDF and UDF governments of Kerala criticized the budget. Shashi Tharoor said that Ayurveda Institute is mentioned but the place was not mentioned. Coconut and cashew were discussed but Kerala’s name was not taken.

Announcement for Assam

Assam will benefit from infrastructure, development of tier-2 and tier-3 cities in the budget. Focus on MSME will help small-medium industries. Buddhist circuit was announced, which includes Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. There will be protection of temples and monasteries, pilgrim center and connectivity.

5 tourism destinations will be built in ‘Purvodaya’ states. National Mental Health Institute of Tezpur will be made Regional Apex Institution. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praised the budget. He said that Assam will greatly benefit from shelf-help marts, skilling and capital investment.

Overall, there is no major populist announcement for the electoral states in the budget, but long-term development projects will benefit these states. In this way, BJP has not announced anything directly for the states, but in this way BJP can get benefit in the elections.