Finance Minister P Chidambaram was not alone in Parliament when he presented the Union Budget 2006-07 on Tuesday.

He had the support of this family too.

Chidambaram's wife Nalini, son Karthik, daughter-in-law Srinidhi Raghavan, and his brother were present in the Speaker's Gallery of Lok Sabha when the finance minister delivered his Budget.

Nalini, who is a prominent lawyer, was wearing a purple Kanjeevaram saree with matching jewellery and a red bindi. It was a festive look.

While speaking exclusively to rediff.com, she said, "It's a good Budget. I knew the Budget will be good because he (the finance minister) knows the pulse of the people."

When asked how was their morning today, she replied: "He is used to presenting the Budget. It's nothing new for him. He was not tense. Not at all worried."

Asked to rate her husband's Budget, she softly said: "I give him ten out of ten. Since childhood he has always stood first. In academics, he has always excelled. He excels in whatever he does."

Karthik Chidambaram sported a wide grin after the Budget. When asked his reaction, he said, "Are you trying to get a quote out of me? Why ask me? Didn't you see the reactions of parliamentarians when he was delivering the Budget?"

Nalini Chidambaram (centre), wife of Finance Minister P Chidambaram, and Srinidhi Raghvan, daughter-in-law of the finance minister (right), entering Parliament on Tuesday.
Photograph: Ranjan basu / Saab Press