Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her eighth consecutive budget on Saturday, bringing significant relief to the middle class. The Modi government announced an increase in the tax-free income limit from ₹7 lakh to ₹12 lakh. While BJP and its allies hailed the budget as a welfare-oriented initiative, opposition leaders strongly criticized it.
Opposition’s Reaction
Rahul Gandhi’s Criticism
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi took a sharp dig at the Modi government, calling the budget a mere “Band-Aid on a bullet wound.” In a post on his X handle, he stated, “Amid global uncertainty, solving our economic crisis requires a paradigm shift. However, this government has run out of ideas.”
Congress Accuses Government of Ignoring Andhra Pradesh
Congress criticized the budget for failing to address critical issues such as stagnant real wages, lack of substantial consumer demand, sluggish private investment, and a complex GST system that burdens the economy. Additionally, Congress accused the Modi government of offering a “bonanza” to NDA-ruled Bihar while cruelly neglecting Andhra Pradesh, another key NDA state.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh sarcastically commented on Budget 2025, stating that the Finance Minister highlighted four economic drivers: agriculture, MSMEs, investment, and exports. He quipped, “So many engines, yet the budget has completely derailed! Bihar seems to have received a treasure trove of announcements, which is expected given the upcoming elections. But why was Andhra Pradesh, another NDA stronghold, so ruthlessly ignored?”
Samajwadi Party and RJD’s Take
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav dismissed the budget, stating, “Forget the budget; what’s more important are the rising death tolls at the Maha Kumbh Mela. How can we trust a government that doesn’t even provide accurate death figures?”
RJD leader and Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav called the budget a mere replica of the previous one, labeling it “anti-poor and anti-rural.” He argued that Bihar received nothing substantial and accused the Modi government of deliberately sidelining the state. Raising the long-standing demand for a special financial package, he questioned, “Where did Bihar’s special package funds go? Chandra Babu Naidu managed to secure a ₹2 lakh crore package, while Nitish Kumar failed to secure anything for Bihar. He remains completely unaware and ineffective.”
Amit Shah Calls Budget a Blueprint for Development
On the other hand, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah praised Budget 2025, calling it a blueprint for a developed and self-reliant India. He stated, “This budget reflects Modi government’s visionary approach to building a superior India across all sectors. It encompasses everything from farmers, the poor, and the middle class to women and children’s education, nutrition, healthcare, startups, innovation, and investment. It is the roadmap for Atmanirbhar Bharat. I congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for this inclusive and forward-looking budget.”
Conclusion
The 2025 budget has sparked a heated political debate, with the ruling government defending its economic vision and the opposition highlighting its shortcomings. While the BJP sees it as a transformational budget for India’s development, opposition parties argue that it fails to address economic distress and regional imbalances. With elections approaching in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, the budget’s impact on voter sentiment will be crucial in shaping political dynamics in the coming months.
