The Congress party has sharply criticized the Modi government’s Budget 2024, labeling it as a mere “copycat” of the opposition’s election manifesto promises. Congress leaders argue that the budget aims to appease key BJP allies, such as TDP and JDU, with various announcements for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, while failing to address broader national concerns. They have denounced the budget as a “kursi bachao” (save the seat of power) measure, suggesting that many of the promises are unlikely to materialize and criticizing allies Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar for not securing special category status for their states.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the budget, stating that it merely serves as a tool for the NDA to retain power rather than advancing the nation’s progress. He accused the government of offering “half-hearted ‘rewadis'” (freebies) to its coalition partners and failing to address the needs of the common people. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi echoed these sentiments, dismissing the budget as a “Kursi Bachao” plan that prioritizes political appeasement over substantive benefits for ordinary citizens.
Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram also weighed in, expressing disappointment that the budget did not incorporate more ideas from the Congress manifesto. He noted that while some proposals from the Congress, such as the Employment-Linked Incentive Scheme (ELIS) and the Apprenticeship Scheme, were included, many other suggestions were overlooked. Chidambaram’s comments highlight the Congress party’s frustration with what they see as inadequate and unoriginal policy responses from the current government.
