Congress Leaders Launch Scathing Attack on Union Budget 2026
Senior Congress leaders, including former chief minister Kamal Nath and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Jitu Patwari, have vehemently criticized the Union Budget 2026, labeling it as "directionless" and accusing the government of neglecting the common man. The criticism emerged on Sunday, with both leaders expressing deep disappointment over the budgetary allocations and policies outlined by the Centre.
Kamal Nath's Strong Condemnation on Social Media
Taking to social media platform X, former Union minister for commerce Kamal Nath launched a pointed critique of the Budget. He stated, "The Union government's Budget presented today is totally directionless. It lacks any vision for farmers, youth, women, tribals, Dalits, OBCs, and all other sections of society." Nath, who served in the Congress-led UPA government, highlighted that middle-class families had hoped for income-tax relief, but the government failed to take any steps in that direction. He further emphasized that Madhya Pradesh was completely neglected in the budgetary provisions, raising concerns about regional disparities.
Jitu Patwari's Accusation of 'Suit-Boot Ka Sarkar'
PCC chief Jitu Patwari echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the Budget once again proves this is a "suit-boot ka sarkar" (government for the elite), with the common man being ignored. Patwari pointed to ongoing issues such as the promise of 2 crore jobs per year, paper leaks, and lack of transparency, which have led students to raise their voices. He accused the Prime Minister of initiating another row with students, suggesting a deliberate strategy to divide the country along religious and caste lines. "This thought process of Hindu-Muslim divide, then polarisation of the castes, is so that the country can be divided in every way so they may rule," Patwari remarked, highlighting concerns over social harmony and governance priorities.
Broader Implications and Public Reaction
The criticism from Congress leaders comes amid broader public discourse on the Union Budget 2026-27, which has sparked debates over:
- Changes in income tax slabs and rates under new and old regimes.
- What items have become cheaper or costlier post-Budget.
- Allegations of ignoring states like West Bengal, as voiced by leaders such as Mamata Banerjee, who described it as a "Humpty Dumpty" budget.
This political backlash underscores growing tensions between the opposition and the ruling party, with the Budget being framed as a missed opportunity to address key societal issues. The Congress party's stance reflects its ongoing critique of the government's economic policies, emphasizing a need for more inclusive and visionary planning.
