New Delhi, February 1: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday criticized the Union Budget for 2026-2027, calling it "blind to India's real crisis" and accusing it of failing to offer a course correction. In a post on X, Gandhi highlighted the country's deepening issues, pointing out that manufacturing was in decline, investors were pulling out, and household savings were rapidly falling. As the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi also expressed concern about the plight of farmers.

He wrote, "Youth without jobs. Falling manufacturing. Investors are pulling out capital. Household savings are plummeting. Farmers in distress. Looming global shocks—all ignored. A Budget that refuses course correction, blind to India's real crises."

The Union Budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament on Sunday, drew sharp criticism from other Congress leaders as well. Jairam Ramesh, the Congress General Secretary, called it "lacklustre." He noted that the budget speech failed to provide clarity on allocations for crucial programs and schemes. "While the documents need to be studied in detail, it is clear after 90 minutes that Budget 2026/27 falls woefully short of the hype that was generated about it. It was totally lacklustre. The speech was also non-transparent since it gave no idea whatsoever of budgetary allocations for key programs and schemes," Ramesh posted on X.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge went further, saying that the budget lacked a comprehensive policy vision or the political will to address the country’s urgent economic, social, and political challenges. Kharge alleged that the Modi government had exhausted its ideas, and the Budget provided no real solutions to the nation's problems. "‘Mission Mode’ is now ‘Challenge Route.’ ‘Reform Express’ rarely stops at any ‘Reform’ Junction. Net result: No policy vision, No political will. Our Annadata Farmers still await meaningful welfare support or an income security plan. Inequality has surpassed the levels seen under the British Raj, but the Budget does not even mention it or provide any support to SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and Minority communities," he posted on X.

Kharge also criticized the Finance Commission’s recommendations, which he said seemed unlikely to provide relief to financially stressed state governments. "Federalism has become a casualty," he added.

The Congress leader pointed out several key issues the budget failed to address effectively:

1. Manufacturing:No revival strategy for the sector, which is still stagnant at 13%. "Where is ‘Make in India’?" he asked.
2. Jobs:There was no concrete plan to improve employability for youth or to increase women's participation in the workforce. "What happened to earlier internship & skill development schemes?" he questioned.
3. Exports/Trade:No solutions to the export slump, tariff risks, or trade deficit. Kharge also asked about plans to address the weakening rupee.
4. Poor & Middle Class:No relief for inflation, falling savings, rising debt, or stagnating wages. "Why no ideas to reboot consumer demand?" he asked.
5. Private Investment:No measures to boost confidence in private investment, with FDI and wage stagnation largely ignored.
6. Infrastructure:Promises for infrastructure development, including "Smart Cities," were repeated without progress. "When will we have liveable cities?" Kharge questioned.
7. Social Security:No substantial announcements regarding social security or welfare, and no mention of allocations for the new law replacing MGNREGA.

Kharge concluded by stating that the Budget offered no real solutions, "not even slogans to hide the absence of policy."