'Kursi Bachao, Appease Cronies': Rahul Gandhi Trashes Union Budget

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticised Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Union Budget, claiming it was designed to appease BJP's allies and "cronies".

Rahul Gandhi referred to the document as the "Kursi Bachao" Budget, alleging that it was copied from the Congress party's Lok Sabha polls manifesto.

He took to X and said, "Kursi Bachao Budget. Appease Allies: Hollow promises to them at the cost of other states. Appease Cronies: Benefits to AA with no relief for the common Indian. Copy and Paste: Congress manifesto and previous budgets."

Other Congress leaders also chipped in to slam the Budget.

P Chidambaram noted, "I am glad to know that the Hon'ble FM has read the Congress Manifesto LS 2024 after the election results. I am happy she has virtually adopted the Employment-linked incentive (ELI) outlined on page 30 of the Congress Manifesto. I am also happy that she has introduced the Apprenticeship scheme along with an allowance to every apprentice spelt out on page 11 of the Congress Manifesto. I wish the FM had copied some other ideas in the Congress Manifesto. I shall shortly list the missed opportunities."

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh slammed the employment scheme, saying it was "designed to grab headlines rather than a programmatic guarantee."

He further added, "The Finance Minister has taken a leaf out of the INC's Nyay Patra 2024, with its internship program modelled on the INC's proposed Apprenticeship Program that was called Pehli Naukri Pakki. However, in their trademark style, the scheme has been designed to grab headlines, with arbitrary targets (1 crore internships) rather than a programmatic guarantee for all diploma holders and graduates, like the Indian National Congress had envisioned."

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the Budget, describing it as pro-people and pro-development.

He stated on X, "The Budget 2024-25 not only exemplifies Bharat's newfound sense of purpose, hope, and optimism under the PM Modi Ji-led NDA government but also fortifies them. Harnessing the power of Bharat's youth, Nari Shakti, and farmers, the budget fuels the nation's pace on the path of emerging as a developed nation by ushering in a new era of employment and opportunities."

Shah also commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the Budget.

Additionally, a day after rejecting ally JD(U)'s demand for a special status for Bihar, the Centre announced several sops for the state.