On Saturday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her eighth consecutive Budget. The Opposition criticized it as being designed to “save the coalition government,” pointing to Bihar—ruled by the JD(U)-BJP alliance—receiving a significant share of the Union Budget 2025.
Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) and Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP played crucial roles in the BJP-led NDA forming the government after the Lok Sabha polls, where the BJP failed to secure a majority. Bihar is set to hold assembly elections in November.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the budget, calling it “a band-aid for bullet wounds!”
“Amid global uncertainty, solving our economic crisis demanded a paradigm shift. But this government is bankrupt of ideas,” he added.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor accused the government of using the budget as an election tool.
“The focus on Bihar in this budget is obviously due to the upcoming Bihar elections. It’s ironic that the party that wants ‘One Nation, One Election’ is actually using each election, each year, to give people more freebies.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took to X, stating,
“One proverb perfectly suits this budget—after eating nine hundred rats, the cat went to Hajj!”
“In the last 10 years, the Modi government has collected ₹54.18 lakh crore in income tax from the middle class. Now, they are offering an exemption up to ₹12 lakh, which, according to the Finance Minister herself, will save ₹80,000 per year—just ₹6,666 per month!”
“The whole country is struggling with inflation and unemployment, but the Modi government is busy manufacturing praise for itself. In this ‘announcement-making’ budget, Make in India has been rebranded as the National Manufacturing Mission to cover up its failures. Most other announcements are similarly hollow,” he added.
Calling it an “announcement-making budget,” Kharge accused the government of neglecting the youth.
“Modi ji had promised a big step for women’s empowerment in this budget, but nothing happened. No roadmap to double farmers’ income, no GST concessions on agricultural inputs. No concrete plans for health, education, or scholarships for Dalits, tribals, backward classes, the poor, or minorities. No reforms to boost private investment.”
He argued that the government was using superficial claims about exports and tariffs to mask deeper failures.
“Not a single step has been taken to address falling consumption. Despite soaring inflation, the MGNREGA budget remains unchanged. There is no relief for workers, no reforms in GST’s multiple rates, and no serious job creation plan. Startup India, Standup India, Skill India—these schemes remain mere announcements,” he said.
“Overall, Budget 2025 is an attempt by the Modi government to fool the people,” he concluded.
Other Opposition Reactions
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal expressed disappointment, as the budget ignored his demand for a waiver on farmers’ loans—despite large amounts being spent to write off corporate debts.
The CPI(M) accused the government of under-delivering.
“There is a massive gap of ₹1 lakh crore between what the government promised (₹48.2 lakh crore) and what it actually spent (₹47.16 lakh crore). The budget spent less than what was promised!”
They labeled it a budget “By the Rich, For the Rich,” pointing to 100% FDI in insurance, mining liberalization for critical minerals, and private sector involvement in nuclear energy.
Bhim Army’s Chandrashekhar Aazad MP called it “anti-social justice” and “anti-economic equality.”
“This budget is a huge disappointment in terms of inclusive development. There has been only a marginal increase in allocations for Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes, Muslims, minorities, women, the poor, laborers, and farmers. Meanwhile, inflation is over 6%. For the marginalized, this means their income is 8 paise while their expenses are ₹100—leaving them with nothing.”
“If we look at the numbers, allocations for these communities have actually declined in real terms. This budget fails them in every way,” he said.
IUML leader and four-time MP E.T. Muhammed Basheer added,
“There is no justice in this budget. It is purely politically motivated.”
Dr. Amit Mitra, Principal Chief Advisor to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, called the budget a “DISASTER” for ordinary citizens.
He highlighted significant cuts:
• Social services (-16%)
• Housing (-4.38%)
• SC/ST welfare (-3%)
• General welfare (-5%)
• Food subsidy (-1%)
Congress communications head Jairam Ramesh questioned why Andhra Pradesh, another key NDA ally, was ignored.
“It is natural for Bihar to receive attention due to elections. But why has Andhra Pradesh, the other NDA pillar, been cruelly ignored?”
Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, MP from Mumbai North Central, echoed concerns over political favoritism.
“This budget was crafted to save the coalition government. It talks only about Bihar, while Maharashtra isn’t even mentioned by name. A huge disappointment for Maharashtra.”
She also criticized the BJP’s claims about tax exemptions.
“As far as tax exemptions are concerned, they come with many hidden conditions. But the BJP won’t disclose them—because lying has become its habit.”
Gaurav Gogoi called the budget “the same old story” from the last decade.
“The poor, farmers, and middle class get nothing but words. The tax proposals benefit big corporations, not the common people. This is the weakest budget in 10 years.”
MP Selja Kumari suggested that Bihar was the budget’s sole focus because of upcoming elections.
“Farmers want MSP, but the budget ignores it. The nuclear sector was discussed, yet Haryana’s long-stalled Gorakhpur nuclear plant remains untouched. There is no mention of housing for the poor or MGNREGA. Haryana got nothing.”
MP Manish Tewari questioned,
“Is this the budget of the Government of India or the Government of Bihar?”
Congress’s Sasikanth Senthil, a former IAS officer, accused the government of abandoning the marginalized.
“Once again, the government turns its back on the poor. The message is loud and clear: benefits for the rich, neglect for the rest.”
Bihar’s Central Role in Budget 2025
For the second consecutive year, Bihar has received major allocations in the Union Budget. Finance Minister Sitharaman announced several initiatives for the state, which heads to elections later this year.
In a symbolic gesture, Sitharaman arrived in Parliament wearing a saree featuring Madhubani art, a traditional style from Bihar’s Mithila region. The saree was a gift from Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi during the minister’s last visit to Bihar.
-BJP alliance—receiving a significant share of the Union Budget 2025.){kind=link}