Congress party leaders have strongly criticized the Union Budget 2025, alleging that it lacked a clear direction and was crafted with an eye on electoral gains. Several Members of Parliament (MPs) from the party voiced their concerns, with some accusing the government of using the budget to further its political interests.
Congress MP Kiran Kumar Chamala was among the first to speak out, claiming that the budget was timed strategically for political purposes. “In this budget, the Centre has given significant importance to states like Bihar, but states like Telangana, which are also looking forward to support, have been overlooked. This seems to have a political agenda rather than a comprehensive plan for the country’s development,” Chamala said to ANI.
Charanjit Singh Channi, another Congress MP, was particularly scathing in his remarks, calling the Union Budget “directionless.” He accused the BJP of selling off national assets to corporate interests, stating, “There is nothing in this budget for any sector. States like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Rajasthan, and UP were not even mentioned. They (BJP) are selling everything to their own ‘East India Company.'”
Shashi Tharoor, another prominent Congress leader, focused on the budget’s provisions for the middle class. While acknowledging the tax cuts for salaried individuals, Tharoor raised concerns about the broader economic situation. “The applause you heard from the BJP benches was for the middle-class tax cut, which is a good thing. But what about those without a salary? Where will the income come from? Unemployment wasn’t even mentioned by the Finance Minister,” Tharoor said. He also criticized the government for using elections as a platform to offer “freebies,” undermining the country’s long-term development.
DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran also joined in the criticism, suggesting that the budget was primarily aimed at appealing to voters ahead of the Delhi elections. He described the budget as “confusing,” particularly pointing to the discrepancy in tax slabs for individuals earning between Rs 8 to 12 lakh. While the Finance Minister had announced no tax on incomes up to Rs 12 lakh, Maran noted that a 10% tax slab was later introduced for the income range between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 12 lakh, which he found contradictory.
In her budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had proposed several initiatives for Bihar, including the creation of a “Makhana Board” to support the production, processing, and marketing of foxnuts, a food item widely grown in the state. Sitharaman also announced plans for Greenfield airports in Bihar and the expansion of Patna Airport, alongside a brownfield airport in Bihta, to boost regional connectivity.
The budget also allocated financial support for the Western Kosi Canal Extension, Renovation, and Modernization (ERM) project in Mithilanchal, aimed at benefiting farmers cultivating over 50,000 hectares of land in the region. Additionally, the establishment of the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management in Bihar was proposed to foster food processing activities in Eastern India.
While the government pushed for these initiatives as part of its broader development goals, opposition leaders, particularly from Congress, questioned the true intent behind the measures, accusing the BJP of prioritizing political gains ahead of national growth.
