Congress Slams Budget 2024-25: 'Designed to Save Government's Chair'

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticizes Finance Minister Sitharaman's seventh Budget as disappointing, accusing it of favoring NDA allies JD(U) and TDP to save the government's position. He also highlights neglect in addressing issues of other regions, including Kalyan-Karnataka-Hyderabad's special status and railways' plight.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has termed the seventh Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as a 'disappointing Budget,' claiming it serves only to save the government's chair. In a veiled attack on the BJP-led NDA government, Kharge stated, 'They made the budget to appease just one or two people (JD(U) and TDP) so that they can save their government.'

Kharge asserted that Budget 2024-25 includes special allocations for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, neglecting other regions. He accused the BJP-led Centre of bypassing the needs of 140 crore people to please its two allies, JD(U) and TDP, to maintain their government. 'Some regions needed more emphasis in this Budget. For example, our region of Kalyan-Karnataka-Hyderabad, which has special status under the Constitution, was neglected too. This budget clearly shows that this government has neglected 140 crores of people to appease two people (BJP allies) so that their government is saved,' he said, adding that it caters to the happiness of two friends.

The BJP secured 240 seats in the Lok Sabha polls, falling short of a majority, and relied on NDA allies TDP and JD(U) to form the government for a third consecutive term. JD(U) with 12 seats and TDP with 16 seats are crucial allies for the BJP-led government. Kharge criticized the Modi government's 10-year tenure, questioning, 'What have they given to the public in their 10 years budget?' He highlighted the Congress government's contributions, such as MGNREGA, food security, health security, education rights, and mid-day meals. He added, 'Modi Ji only talked about Modi Ki Guarantee during the elections. He has just a habit of telling lies.'

Kharge also criticized the railway budget: 'From the last few days, there have been several railway accidents. Railways have become stranded, with no significant reforms, including passenger safety, track reconstruction, and solutions for railway police and official's problems. They haven't allotted money for expanding coach manufacturing companies started in Karnataka. The railway budget is very weak.'

Further condemning the budget as 'disappointing,' Kharge highlighted its failure to address legalizing MSP for farmers, stating, 'We were expecting relaxations related to MSP guarantee and subsidies for fertilizers and pesticides, but no such provisions are present.'

As some MPs expressed dissatisfaction, Kharge remarked, 'They have neglected states like Haryana, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala. This budget is made to save their government and appease their friends.' Finance Minister Sitharaman's budget announcement proposed new airports, medical colleges, and special funds for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh's capital needs.