Congress slams Budget 2025, calls it politically driven

The Congress party has strongly criticized the Union Budget 2025 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accusing it of being politically motivated and lacking a clear direction.

Congress MP Kiran Kumar Chamala alleged that the budget was crafted with electoral interests in mind, highlighting the special focus on Bihar while states like Telangana received less attention.

#WATCH | #UnionBudget2025 | Congress MP Kiran Kumar Chamala says, "In the budget when we talk about the states which she has given we have seen Bihar has given a lot of importance whereas we are also looking forward states like Telangana that it has to get a lot of importance. We… pic.twitter.com/qeFH96orcc

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025

Chamala remarked, "I think again it has got some political thing there; we can really see there is a political agenda in today's total budget speech."

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi labeled the budget "directionless," claiming that it offered nothing substantial for any sector.

#WATCH | On #UnionBudget2025, Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi says, "It was a directionless budget. There was nothing in the budget for any sector. Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Rajasthan, UP - states of these names were even not taken... They (BJP) are selling everything to… pic.twitter.com/3Rrx1a09Lo

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025

He went on to accuse the BJP of privatizing assets, stating, "They are selling everything to their own 'East India Company.'"

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also criticized the budget, suggesting that the BJP’s celebration was primarily due to the middle-class tax cuts but failed to address the issue of unemployment.

#WATCH | On #UnionBudget2025, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "I think frankly the applause you heard from the BJP benches was for the middle-class tax cut. We look at the details and that may be a good thing. So if you have a salary you may be paying less tax. But the important… pic.twitter.com/LTGA1AI8d4

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025

"For you to benefit from income tax relief, you actually need jobs. Unemployment was not mentioned by the Finance Minister," he said. Tharoor also pointed out the BJP’s strategy of using multiple state elections as opportunities to offer targeted freebies.

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran described the budget as "confusing," arguing that it was designed to appeal to voters ahead of the Delhi elections.

#WATCH | #UnionBudget2025 | DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran says, "It's a very disappointing Budget. The Budget seems to be like that, it's planned in such a way to woo the voters for Delhi, especially the Delhi elections coming on 5th February. The FM has given a big exemption saying… pic.twitter.com/hQ88jbvR6r

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025

He pointed out inconsistencies in the Finance Minister’s announcements, stating that while Sitharaman initially declared no taxes for income up to ₹12 lakh, she later introduced a 10% tax slab for earnings between ₹8 lakh and ₹12 lakh.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister announced several initiatives aimed at Bihar, including the establishment of a Makhana Board to support production, processing, and marketing of foxnuts.

"The board will provide handholding and training support to Makhana farmers and ensure they receive the benefits of all relevant government schemes," she stated.

Further, she revealed plans for new Greenfield airports in Bihar, alongside the expansion of Patna Airport and the development of a Brownfield airport in Bihta. Sitharaman emphasized, "These projects will meet the future needs of the state."

She also announced financial support for the Western Kosi Canal ERM project, benefiting farmers cultivating over 50,000 hectares in Bihar’s Mithilanchal region.

Additionally, the government will establish the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management in Bihar to boost food processing activities across the Eastern region.