New Delhi: The Modi government’s budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 has been met with significant criticism from opposition parties, who charge that it is more about political maneuvering than addressing the substantive needs of India.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the budget, unveiled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, was immediately criticized by opposition leaders as being politically driven. They accused the government of using the budget to secure the loyalty of coalition partners rather than to foster genuine national development.

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, termed it a “Kursi Bachao Budget” (Save the Chair Budget) aimed more at maintaining political alliances than alleviating the issues faced by ordinary citizens. Similarly, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge attacked the budget on social media for neglecting vital societal sectors and only serving to bolster the current government’s position.

The Samajwadi Party, represented by Akhilesh Yadav, criticized the budget as a strategy to consolidate power, pointing out that certain developmental promises appear specifically tailored to gain favor in politically significant states like Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.

Trinamool Congress leaders also expressed their discontent, with General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee and MP Kalyan Banerjee dismissing the budget as a failure and accusing the BJP of ignoring pressing issues such as unemployment and inflation to play regional politics, particularly against Bengal.

CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury highlighted the budget’s inadequacy in tackling rising unemployment and inflation, criticizing the government for reducing its expenditure relative to GDP, which he believes could worsen conditions for the general populace.