Opposition Leaders Launch Scathing Attack on Union Budget 2026-27
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi delivered a sharp critique of the Union Budget 2026-27 on Sunday, describing it as "blind to India's real crises" and accusing the government of overlooking the severe economic hardships faced by ordinary citizens across the nation.
Gandhi's Detailed Critique on Social Media
In a comprehensive post on the social media platform X, Gandhi outlined what he identified as the country's most urgent challenges that he believes the budget failed to address. "Youth without jobs. Falling manufacturing. Investors pulling out capital. Household savings plummeting. Farmers in distress. Looming global shocks - all ignored," he wrote, painting a grim picture of the economic landscape.
The Congress leader emphasized that this was "a Budget that refuses course correction, blind to India's real crises," suggesting that the government missed a crucial opportunity to implement meaningful policy changes that could alleviate widespread economic suffering.
Budget Announcements and Government's Infrastructure Push
Gandhi's criticism emerged shortly after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive budget, which included several significant announcements:
- Capital expenditure target raised to Rs 12.2 lakh crore for FY27, representing an increase from Rs 11.2 lakh crore in the current fiscal year
- Infrastructure development measures focused on tier-2 and tier-3 cities
- Policy framework designed against a challenging backdrop of global uncertainty, trade tensions, and slowing export growth
Congress President Kharge Joins the Criticism
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed Gandhi's sentiments, launching his own critique of the budget by arguing that the Modi government has "run out of ideas." In a series of posts, Kharge asserted that "Budget2026 does not provide a single solution to India's many economic, social, and political challenges."
Kharge employed vivid metaphors to express his disappointment, stating, "'Mission Mode' is now 'Challenge Route'. Reform Express rarely stops at any 'Reform' Junction. Net result: NO policy vision, NO political will."
Specific Concerns About Rural Distress and Inequality
The Congress president highlighted several specific areas of concern that he believes the budget neglected:
- Agricultural distress: "Our Annadata Farmers still await meaningful welfare support or an income security plan"
- Economic inequality: "Inequality has surpassed the levels seen under the British Raj, but the Budget does not even mention it"
- Federalism concerns: States experiencing financial stress were not offered relief, leading Kharge to declare that "Federalism has become a casualty"
The coordinated criticism from both senior Congress leaders signals a strong opposition response to the government's fiscal policy direction, setting the stage for intense parliamentary debates as the budget moves through the legislative process.
