Thiruvananthapuram: The Chief Ministers of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have spoken out against the Indian national budget for 2025, accusing it of being discriminatory and biased against southern states. The budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has sparked a wave of criticism from these leaders who argue that it favors states preparing for elections.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the budget, suggesting it reflects the political priorities of the Modi administration. He described the focus on election-bound states as highly deplorable, indicating a strategic neglect of the southern region’s needs.

Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his dissatisfaction via social media, noting the government’s failure to address any of the state’s demands. He highlighted unmet needs, including infrastructure projects such as highways, railway expansions, and metro developments in Coimbatore and Madurai. Stalin questioned the rationale behind the omissions, asking, “What is stopping you?”

Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah echoed similar sentiments, labeling the budget as disappointing for not including any requested projects from his state. He accused the government, led by the RSS-backed BJP, of ignoring Karnataka’s needs in the budget allocations.

Telangana’s Deputy Chief Minister, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, joined the chorus of criticism, pointing to excessive funding directed towards Bihar while overlooking his state’s demands. He highlighted the imbalance in resource distribution, accusing the central government of neglecting Telangana’s legitimate concerns.

The leaders collectively questioned the rationale behind the ‘Union’ Budget, challenging the fairness of allocations primarily benefiting states with upcoming elections or those governed by the BJP coalition.