New Delhi: The Opposition INDIA bloc, including Congress and Trinamool Congress, criticised the Union Budget 2025, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, calling it inadequate in addressing key economic challenges such as stagnant real wages, weak mass consumption, sluggish private investment and a complicated GST system.
Congress: Rahul Gandhi dismissed the Budget as a “band-aid for bullet wounds,” accusing the Centre of lacking ideas. He said that solving the economic crisis required a fundamental shift in approach. The Congress also questioned the Modi government’s allocation strategy, pointing out that while Bihar received major benefits, Andhra Pradesh, another key NDA ally, was ignored.
Aam Aadmi Party: AAP MP Sanjay Singh expressed disappointment, saying that small traders received no tax relief on incomes up to Rs 12 lakh. He said that AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal had proposed recovering Rs 16 lakh crore waived for industrialists to halve GST and income tax rates, easing the burden on the middle class, an idea the Centre overlooked.
Trinamool Congress: TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee said Bengal remained “deprived” under BJP rule. He pointed out that Bihar received multiple budgetary benefits, including a Makhana Board, financial aid for the western Kosi canal, and support for IIT Patna, likely due to its upcoming elections. Banerjee criticised Bengal’s 12 BJP MPs, accusing them of failing to secure economic benefits for the state.
Bahujan Samaj Party: BSP chief Mayawati said the Budget prioritised political gains over people’s welfare, similar to previous Congress-led budgets. She highlighted ongoing struggles due to inflation, poverty and unemployment, stressing that despite India’s massive population, essential services like roads, water and education remain inadequate. “If this government truly cared, why are people still suffering? The dream of ‘Viksit Bharat’ must also include Bahujans,” she remarked.
Opposition parties collectively accused the BJP government of using the Budget for electoral gains rather than addressing fundamental economic issues.
