Unprecedented in many ways because it seemed more like a full budget than its interim form, the pre-election exercise of the Narendra Modi government, came as one of the special weapons in the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) armoury. The timing of using the weapon, termed as the last resort, is widely debated, and questions are being raised if the BJP's bait would result in grand electoral success in May.

Articulated typically in BJP style, the presentation of several schemes promises to dole out their share - direct and indirect - to people across the sections. Farm sector remains the prime focus because of the heavy price that the BJP had to pay in view of unattended crises in agriculture-dominated states. The eligible farmers are set to get funds transferred to their bank accounts before the poll code of conduct comes into effect in March. All states have been directed to share the data so that the money can be transferred.