Congress Criticizes Budget for Ignoring Andhra Pradesh, Favors Bihar

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced allocations for various sectors in her budget speech, with particular focus on Bihar, which received significant funding. Despite these announcements, Andhra Pradesh was notably absent from receiving any special schemes. This omission drew criticism from the Congress, highlighting a perceived neglect towards Andhra Pradesh despite its role as a key partner in the current NDA government, alongside Bihar's JD(U) and Andhra Pradesh's ruling TDP.

Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh criticized the government's approach towards Andhra Pradesh, questioning why the state was "cruelly ignored" despite being a crucial pillar of the NDA. Ramesh's remarks underscore the political implications of the budget allocations, especially with Bihar elections on the horizon. He stated, "It is natural for Bihar to receive attention a year before elections, but why was Andhra Pradesh so cruelly ignored?" This comment was part of a series of tweets by Ramesh, intensifying the scrutiny on the budget's priorities.

The central budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha. The budget speech, which started promptly at 11 AM on Saturday, covered various allocations and did not shy away from rewarding Bihar with significant funds. However, Andhra Pradesh's lack of special schemes has sparked a debate on the government's commitments to its allies and regions within the coalition.

The Congress Party has been vocal in its criticism, leveraging social media to amplify their dissent against the budget's allocation strategy. Their main contention lies with the government's inability to address the four crises plaguing the Indian economy: stagnant real wages, consumer difficulties, a slowdown in private investment, and the complexities of the GST system. Despite these challenges, the budget failed to offer solutions, providing relief only to income tax payers. "We will have to wait and see what impact this has on the economy," said Jairam Ramesh, reflecting on the government's financial strategy and its potential consequences.

This year's budget has sparked a debate over the government's financial priorities and its political implications, especially in light of upcoming elections in Bihar. The criticism from the Congress underscores a broader concern about the government's commitment to equitable development across states, particularly those under the NDA umbrella. The conversation around this year's budget illustrates the complex interplay between politics, governance, and economic policy in India.