“Kursi Bachao, Copycat Budget”: Congress Leaders On Union Budget 2024
Following the presentation of the Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament today, Congress leaders took a dig at her and called it the ‘Congress Manifesto.’
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi slammed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for adopting a ‘Kursi Bachao Budget.’
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“Kursi Bachao Budget. Appease Allies: Hollow promises to them at the cost of other states,” he said, referring to big allocations for NDA ally and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Bihar and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Andhra Pradesh. While Bihar received a budget allocation of Rs 26,000 crores for highway and road projects, Andhra Pradesh received Rs 15,000 crores for the construction and development of Amaravati.
“Appease Cronies: Benefits to AA with no relief for the common Indian. Copy and Paste: Congress manifesto and previous budgets,” said Gandhi.
“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.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 23, 2024
Several party leaders pointed out some of the schemes offered in the budget that were similar to what the grand old party had proposed in its Lok Sabha poll manifesto.
Former Finance Minister and senior party leader P Chidambaram took a dig at Sitharaman and said, “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.”
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He further added, “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.”
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…
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) July 23, 2024
Chidambaram served as the finance minister in governments led by HD Deve Gowda (1996–97), Inder Kumar Gujral (1997–98), and Dr. Manmohan Singh (2004–2008; 2012–2014).
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh observed that the farmers of India received a “raw deal” as the Agriculture and Allied budget is only 3.15% of the total budget, a sharp decrease from 5.44% in 2019-2020, especially after the low agricultural growth in the previous year due to unfavourable weather conditions.
Ramesh also pointed out, “In her speech, the Finance Minister boasted of the increase in MSP for crops earlier this year – but the prices are still significantly below what the Swaminathan Commission Formula recommended. The demand for legal status for MSP has been met with stony silence – as has the demand for a farm loan waiver.”
India’s farmers have recieved a raw deal in the Union Budget:
• The Agriculture and Allied Budget – which affects a majority of the country’s population – is only 3.15% of the total Budget, down from 5.44% in 2019-2020. This is after a year of bad monsoons dragged down…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 23, 2024
Read Also: “Kursi Bachao”, “Copy Paste”: Rahul Gandhi on Union Budget 2024
Assam Chief Minister Gaurav Gogoi slammed the budget, which he said was made “only and only to save his (PM Modi) chair.” He added, “Yes, if he can make his close millionaire friend richer, then we will get to hear something new for his benefit. The rest of the country had to hear the same old things again. Very disappointing, but expected.”
मोदी जी का budget 2024-25 सिर्फ़ और सिर्फ़ अपनी कुर्सी बचाने के लिये बनायी गई है । हाँ agar करीबी करोड़पति दोस्त को और अमीर कर सके तो उनके फ़ायदे के लिए कुछ नया सुनने को मिला । बाक़ी पूरे देश को वही पुराने बातें दुबारा सुनना पड़ा। अत्यंत ही निराशाजनक लेकिन अपेक्षित । pic.twitter.com/Oy85Vg2gDX
— Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) July 23, 2024
Describing the budget is “underwhelming,” Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, “The government simply didn’t mention key issues. MGNREGA wasn’t even mentioned. People have no reason to be happy.”
I am afraid it’s an underwhelming budget. The government simply didn’t mention key issues. MGNREGA wasn’t even mentioned.
People have no reason to be happy.
: @ShashiTharoor ji pic.twitter.com/yyQQMpIgSH
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 23, 2024
