Guwahati, 24th July: The recent budget presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has ignited strong criticism from opposition parties, with Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi spearheading the charge. Gogoi has denounced the budget as “unfair” and accused the government of neglecting the needs of various states.
In a sharp critique, Gogoi stated, “It’s a very unfair budget. More states of India and their pressing concerns have been ignored.” He described the budget as a “desperate” attempt by a “desperate government” to preserve its political standing, suggesting that local needs across states have been sidelined in favor of allocating funds to states governed by BJP allies.
The budget has particularly drawn ire from the INDIA alliance, which argues that the allocation of substantial funds to BJP-affiliated states highlights a political bias. Gogoi emphasized that the budget overlooks pressing issues in many states in favor of political favoritism.
Earlier, on July 23, Gogoi had also criticized the Economic Survey 2024, accusing the government of presenting an overly optimistic view of the nation’s economic health. He argued that the administration is disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary citizens, noting that rising inflation remains a significant concern. “For the poor and middle class, ‘Modi means inflation,'” Gogoi asserted, underscoring that while the wealthy might remain insulated from price hikes, the economic strain on the less affluent is severe.
The opposition’s critique extends to Finance Minister Sitharaman, who Gogoi alleges has been indifferent to the inflation crisis impacting everyday citizens.
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