India, Feb. 1 -- Exuding confidence that the Modi government will return to power in 2024, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented an interim "national election year" budget of "no disruption" keeping tax slabs unchanged, focusing on inclusivity, continued economic reforms and listing the achievements of the NDA in the past ten years while refraining from any new populist announcement.

While an interim budget is about allocating funds to keep the government functions going before a new government is installed and present a full budget (national polls are due by May in India), the FM focused on the achievements of the Modi government in the past ten years.

Emphasizing that the government is focusing on Garib, Mahila, Yuva, An...