Budget Controversy: Opposition Criticizes Government Over ‘Selective’ Financial Packages

Opposition leaders criticized the Union Budget 2024-25, alleging discriminatory allocation of funds to states. Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and RJD MP Manoj Jha claimed states like Bihar and Andhra Pradesh received special treatment, while others were neglected. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended her budget allocations.

In a charged session of the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Union Budget 2024-25, allegating that it granted states like Bihar and Andhra Pradesh special treatment in the form of significant financial packages, while states under opposition rule received little to no benefits.

Echoing similar sentiments, RJD MP Manoj Jha reproached the government for delivering 'shells in the name of peanuts,' emphasizing that Bihar and Andhra Pradesh were given notable allocations, whereas other states were overlooked. Kharge metaphorically described the allocation to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh as 'pakoda and jalebi'.

From another perspective, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav labeled the budget as 'political,' arguing that despite BJP's stronghold in Uttar Pradesh, the state did not receive any special packages. Rashtriya Lok Dal leader and Union Minister Jayant Choudhary came to the defense of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, affirming that she would address all concerns in the House. Sitharaman had announced over Rs 60,000 crore for projects in Bihar and Rs 15,000 crore for Andhra Pradesh's capital city.