Congress leaders voice their discontent, calling it “a band-aid for bullet wounds” and accusing the government of failing to address India’s pressing economic challenges.
In what can only be described as a highly critical response to the Union Budget 2025-26, Congress leaders, led by Rahul Gandhi, have vehemently opposed the measures presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament. While the government claims the budget lays out a roadmap for long-term economic recovery, opposition leaders argue it is a mere “band-aid for bullet wounds” and a missed opportunity to address the country’s economic crises.
Congress’ Critique: A Band-Aid for Bullet Wounds
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was swift in his condemnation, declaring that the government was “bankrupt of ideas” to tackle the country’s mounting economic challenges. According to Gandhi, the budget fails to provide a paradigm shift required to address the current economic crisis, particularly in light of the global economic uncertainty.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he pointed out that the government’s response to the crisis seemed nothing more than a temporary fix. The term “band-aid for bullet wounds” was a sharp metaphor, suggesting that the proposed measures would not address the underlying issues facing the economy.
Echoing his sentiments, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh offered a detailed breakdown of the budget’s perceived shortcomings. He outlined what he saw as four key crises in India’s economy: stagnant real wages, low mass consumption, sluggish private investment, and a complicated GST system. Ramesh’s critique pointed to the lack of substantial proposals to counter these issues.
“The Budget does NOTHING to address these illnesses. The only relief has been for income tax payers. What actual impact this will have on the economy remains to be seen,” he wrote on X. His comments reflect a broader concern among critics that the budget’s provisions, such as tax cuts for the middle class, are unlikely to have a meaningful impact on economic growth or job creation.
KC Venugopal’s Strong Disapproval
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal took a particularly hard stance, calling the Union Budget a series of “mundane circulars” and “minor tinkering” that would do little to revive India’s struggling economy. He criticized the government for focusing on empty slogans and neglecting the real issues of job creation, investment, and support for the poor.
Venugopal was especially vocal about the lack of a clear vision for employment generation. He argued that, for the past 11 years, the government has consistently failed to live up to its promises, leaving the country’s middle class and marginalized groups with little to show for it.
“The Budget shows yet another attempt at destroying MGNREGA, as the Centre failed to increase the budget allocated for the scheme that provides a safety net for crores of Indians,” Venugopal stated in a post on X. His remarks suggest that the government’s disinterest in addressing rural poverty and employment might undermine the effectiveness of the entire budget.
The Impact on Middle-Class and Unemployment
Even Congress MP Shashi Tharoor joined the chorus of dissent, pointing out the budget’s failure to address the critical issue of unemployment. While tax exemptions for middle-class citizens were presented as a relief, Tharoor questioned the value of such measures in the absence of jobs. “For you to benefit from income tax relief, you actually need jobs,” he stated in an interview with ANI, emphasizing that the budget’s proposals do little to resolve the ongoing unemployment crisis.
Tharoor’s words highlight a significant gap in the budget’s provisions: the inability to generate sufficient employment opportunities. Unemployment, a critical issue plaguing India, was notably absent from Sitharaman’s speech, a point that did not go unnoticed by opposition leaders. Tharoor’s comments cast a shadow on the government’s focus on tax cuts, as they may be irrelevant for those without stable employment or income sources.
The Government’s Vision for Growth
Despite these critiques, the government remains resolute in its vision for the country’s economic future. In her budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid out plans to initiate transformative reforms in several key sectors over the next five years, including taxation, urban development, power, mining, and financial regulation. She promised that these reforms would enhance India’s global competitiveness and growth potential.
One of the key proposals, aimed at boosting the middle class, was the removal of income tax on average monthly incomes up to Rs one lakh. This, Sitharaman argued, would stimulate household savings and consumption. Additionally, the budget proposed Rs 1 lakh crore to finance the ‘Cities as Growth Hubs’ initiative, with an emphasis on urban development and the welfare of vulnerable groups.
Yet, these ambitious plans did little to appease critics who feel that the budget’s focus on short-term relief, like tax cuts and middle-class incentives, overlooks the deeper, long-term economic structural issues. Congress leaders argue that without addressing unemployment, stagnant wages, and the complexities of the GST system, the country may struggle to recover from its economic slump.
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