Opposition Slams NDA Budget as “Kursi Bachao” Scheme

The latest budget presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has drawn sharp criticism from the newly emboldened Opposition. The Congress Party, along with its INDIA bloc allies, has dismissed the budget as a “kursi bachao” (save the chair) effort. This term, coined by Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, has been echoed by other critics, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

Akhilesh Yadav expressed frustration over the budget’s focus, stating, “While special packages were given to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, a major contributor to India’s political landscape, has been left out. The budget fails to address persistent issues like inflation and unemployment, and big projects remain unfinished.” He also criticized the government’s skilling program, arguing that it offers inadequate solutions for long-term employment.

Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress was equally scathing. Senior leader Kalyan Banerjee labeled the budget as a “Kursi Bachao budget,” accusing the government of catering to allies like Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu rather than addressing national concerns.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also used the “Kursi Bachao” label, accusing the government of making hollow promises and benefiting allies at the expense of the general public. He criticized the budget for mirroring Congress’s own manifesto and prior budget proposals.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for “copying” elements from the Congress manifesto, while P. Chidambaram highlighted missed opportunities for impactful reforms.

Criticism extended to other regions as well, with Trinamool’s Kalyan Banerjee pointing out the lack of support for Bengal, where the BJP has seen declining influence. RJD leader Rabri Devi dismissed the Rs 26,000 crore allocated for Bihar’s development projects as insufficient.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget includes significant financial packages for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, aimed at enhancing infrastructure and providing special support.