Budget 2025: Opposition slams Bihar-centric announcements, questions political intent

The Union Budget 2025 has sparked political debate, with opposition leaders questioning the Centre’s focus on Bihar in its latest budgetary allocations.

Several opposition parties have accused the government of sidelining other states while making significant announcements for Bihar, where assembly elections are scheduled later this year.

Congress MP Manish Tewari criticized the budget, alleging that it disproportionately favored Bihar at the expense of other states. "I fail to understand whether this was a budget for the government of India or just for Bihar. Have you heard the name of any other state than Bihar in the entire budgetary speech of the Union Finance Minister?" Tewari told ANI.

#WATCH | #UnionBudget2025 | Congress MP Manish Tewari says, "I fail to understand that was this a budget of govt of India or was this a budget of govt of Bihar? Have you heard the name of another state than Bihar in the entire budgetary speech of the union finance minister?..." pic.twitter.com/A6ij82e5Wo

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025

He also suggested that the BJP’s dependence on allies, particularly the Janata Dal (United), played a role in these allocations. "This government is on crutches. To keep these crutches intact, the government ignored the developmental interests of other states," he remarked.

Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal echoed similar concerns, accusing the government of neglecting farmers, particularly those in Punjab.

#WATCH | #UnionBudget2025 | Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal says, "Look at the names of the states - Bihar, which is going to elections. Only Bihar, Bihar, Bihar. There was no mention of Punjab. Farmers are sitting in protest for the past 4 years over legal guarantee… pic.twitter.com/ipm2MRJPzf

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025

"Look at the states mentioned—Bihar, which is going to elections. Only Bihar, Bihar, Bihar. There was no mention of Punjab. Farmers have been protesting for the past four years, demanding a legal guarantee for MSP. What did they announce for farmers? A Makhana Board. This was an anti-farmer budget. Farmers who are fighting for their rights were not heard, which is sad," she said.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha welcomed the Bihar-specific announcements but argued that they were insufficient.

#WATCH | Delhi | On Union Budget 2025, TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha says, "Bihar is my strength and I felt good about the provisions to Bihar, but it is also a time of elections, so was this an electoral budget taking Bihar on forefront?... Infrastructural development in Bihar is… pic.twitter.com/24ahrtiJSE

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025

"Bihar is my strength, and I felt good about the provisions for the state, but is this an electoral budget bringing Bihar to the forefront? Infrastructure development in Bihar is good, but is this enough? What happened to the big special packages mentioned earlier? This budget, which focuses on Bihar, seems like a lollipop. Now, regarding the salaried class, the exemption should have been Rs 15 lakh instead of Rs 12 lakh, but we still appreciate it. A lot of things still need to be studied," Sinha remarked.

Defending the budget, BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy dismissed the opposition’s claims, stating that Bihar had long deserved increased investment and development initiatives.

#WATCH | Delhi | On Union Budget 2025, BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy says, "Overall the budget is balanced, non-inflationary and has an infrastructural incentive along with a lot of societal inputs that will create a balanced social lifeline. Also, a lot of things have been given to… pic.twitter.com/zTrCB5LDvs

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025

"A lot of things have been given to Bihar, which has lagged behind in many cases. After the 2015 package, this is a new proposal for Bihar, including airports, IITs, education, and the Makhana Board. I think Bihar deserves what it has got. Thanks to the PM and Finance Minister," he said.

In her budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a series of projects for Bihar, reinforcing the government’s focus on infrastructure and agricultural development. She revealed that Greenfield airports would be established in the state, in addition to the expansion of Patna Airport and the development of a brownfield airport in Bihta.

"Greenfield airports will be facilitated in Bihar to meet the future needs of the state. These will be in addition to the expansion of the capacity of Patna airport and a brownfield airport in Bihta," Sitharaman stated.

Further, she highlighted the Western Kosi Canal ERM project in the Mithilanchal region, aimed at benefiting farmers. "Financial support will be provided for the Western Kosi Canal ERM project, benefiting a large number of farmers cultivating over 50,000 hectares of land in the Mithilanchal region of Bihar," she said.

The budget also includes the establishment of the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management in Bihar, aimed at boosting food processing activities in the eastern region.

With these measures, the government has signaled its intent to invest in Bihar’s long-term development, though opposition parties continue to question the timing and intent behind these allocations.